The military operation against militants, code-named, ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’, on Monday suffered a setback as four soldiers drowned following a boat accident in Bayelsa State.
The incident occurred along the Brass waterfront in Brass Local Government Area of the state.
Service rifles belonging to the missing soldiers were also said to be missing.
It was learnt that the sad incident which occurred at about 10am on Monday, created panic among newly-deployed soldiers in the state.
Though the mission of the soldiers in the area could not be ascertained, it was gathered that it was not unconnected with the operations against renewed militancy, sea piracy and search for those threatening to hoist the Niger Delta Republic flag.
An indigene of the community, identified simply as Etta, said attempts by community youths and other soldiers to assist in a rescue operation failed as the drowned soldiers could not be found.
Etta said, “In recent times, we have been noticing increased movement of soldiers in our area. The boat that capsized was conveying a new batch of soldiers to the water front.
“I was going to dispose of refuse at the waterfront and I saw uniformed soldiers struggling to rescue their colleagues in a capsized boat.
“When the confusion subsided, four soldiers were found to be missing with their rifles and other military gear. Those that were rescued had their rifles missing and struggling out of the water. ”
It was further learnt that as of 2pm, the military authorities sought the help of local divers and youths in the search for the missing soldiers.
But one of the youths confirmed that the high tide of the water impeded the search for the missing soldiers.
The State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Mr. Lyyod Sese, who confirmed the incident, said the union had received the report on the boat incident.
“We do not have details of the number of casualties,” Sese said.
An official of Brass LGA, who pleaded anonymity, also confirmed the development.
Attempts to get confirmation from the authorities of the Joint Military Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, were not successful as calls to the Acting Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre, Lt.-Cmdr Thomas Otuji, rang out. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Remember that there was once a comment that 'all soldiers can run but not all can swim?' The militants of the area are the local divers and are the best for the crocodile operation. For how long will the military be in the training to be able to fight people who were brought up in water? I pray may the government dialogue with the militants works otherwise let's get ready to waste more soldiers lives. But then, what is the work of the Navy, is it not to fight any battle in the water? Or are they incapable? This government lacks common sense. They forget that a fight against militancy in the Niger delta is not a confrontational war. The militants who know better were the oil pipes in the area are laid have now gone back to their base now that the soldiers are around only to come out from their hideout and blow the oil pipes at the slightest movement of the soldiers away from the area where the pipe locates unknown to them (the soldiers). This common sense should have made Buhari let the sleeping dog lie when he took over the government.
ReplyDeleteWhere is our navy or are they afraid of water? D navy should be there to rescue them.
ReplyDeleteWinning without war was one of Sun Tzu's cardinal war rules. He was an astute Chinese military theorist around the 5th century BC. In Russia, one of the highest honoured war veterans is "General Winter." Does it come as a surprise? Don't be. During WWII, the Germans invaded the then militarily backward Russia. As it turned out, winter was at its peak at the time. When German “Operation Babarossa” was launched against the Russians in 1941, the freezing cold of the Russian weather decimated entire German battalions without a hand lifted by Russians. The more the Germans advanced into Russia, the more Russians retreated inwards in a scorch earth tactics, thereby denying the Germans the opportunity to gain grounds, conquer, rape and enslave the people to feed the troops, as is the given in armed conflicts. The creeks and shallow crocodile-infested waters of Niger Delta will do us proud, and we will be thankful to these bodies of harmless waters and silent brushes of the forests to befit them with similar honour as did the Russians. Long Live our long-suffering People!Long Live ND struggles!! Long Live our beloved Niger Delta!!!
ReplyDeleteAgain, enquire about Sierra Lone's "General Mosquito." Another national honour awarded by a government to an insect. Mosquitoes killed so many colonizing British whites by inflicting them with malaria that certain parts of the country was not subjected under British rule. Eventually, they gained independence. We shall overcome! We shall be liberated!! Long Live Niger Delta!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have two options,either to leave that environment or you will all be death either by bullet or by getting drown
ReplyDelete