The Troops of 5 Battalion-16 Brigade Nigerian Army of Operation Safe Conduct on Saturday arrested 15 armed men suspected to be political thugs at Ikebiri 1 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, as they attempt to disrupt ongoing election in the area.
In a statement released by the Nigerian Army Assistant Director of Public Relations, Major Jonah Danjuma, said the Nigerian Army in its quest to determined efforts to ensure peace and security in area of responsibility especially in pursuant of the objectives of Operation SAFE CONDUCT, arrested some political thugs and recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition and other items.
He said that the successful operation as evident from the seizure, was achieved as a direct response by vigilant troops in Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2019 in 16 Brigade Area of Responsibility. He said:
“There are indications that the armed men are highly suspected to be political thugs who planned to disrupt the presidential and national assembly elections in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State and were not successful.
He listed items recovered from them as including:
a. One General Purpose Machine Gun.
b. Two 200 Horse Powered Speedboats.
c. A large quantity of ammunition.
d. Sixteen mobile phones.
e. Seven handheld Motorola radio.
f. Five Motorola battery charger.
g. Three wrist watches.
h. Five torchlights.
I. Four Identify Cards.
j. The sum of Sixteen Thousand Naira only.
Major Danjuma stating further, said:
“The Brigade wishes to restate her resolve to ensure seamless conduct of the general election in support of the lead security agencies. The Brigade further wishes to call on the good people of the state to provide credible information on the activities of criminal elements in the society.
Those arrested would be handed over to the Nigerian police after initial interrogation for necessary action.