Navy Arrests Wanted Militant Kingpin in Bayelsa
By Matthew Eloyi
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, Bayelsa State, in collaboration with local security personnel, has arrested a wanted militant kingpin following an intelligence-driven operation.
The Base Information Officer, Sub-Lt. Japhet Dauda, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the suspect had been on the run since the raid on his camp at Fununu Community on August 6.
“The arrest followed credible intelligence report regarding the continued movement and activities of the wanted suspect who had been on the run since the raid on his camp at Fununu Community, on Aug. 6,” the Navy said.
According to the statement, the operation also triggered a pursuit of other suspected associates of the arrested militant, who reportedly fled into surrounding bushes. Some of the fleeing suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
The Commanding Officer of FOB FORMOSO, Capt. Sunday Haruna, said the operation also led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, three loaded magazines and a mobile phone from the suspects.
Haruna said that during interrogation, the suspect and his second-in-command (2iC) confessed to terrorising, kidnapping and, at times, killing innocent civilians in neighbouring communities, subjecting residents to persistent fear.
He described the arrest as another major breakthrough in the ongoing intelligence-driven efforts to dismantle militant networks and restore peace and security within the Base’s area of responsibility.
According to him, the successful operation demonstrated the professionalism, courage and operational discipline of the troops.
The Commanding Officer commended the personnel involved in the operation, while reiterating the Base’s commitment to sustained operations against criminal elements in the area.
He added that search operations were ongoing to locate and apprehend other suspects who fled during the operation.
The arrested suspects, he said, are currently in custody for further investigation and interrogation.
