Troops of Joint military force in Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has killed four suspected pirates killing during a surveillance patrol within the Ogbia – Nembe waterways, the military said.

The shootout occurred at Peregbene along the Ogbia-Nembe waterways in the state, where the troops came under attack in April.

Two soldiers were killed and a Lebanese abducted.

The spokesman of the Joint Force in the Niger Delta, Ado Isa, confirmed the incident, saying four of the hoodlums were struck by the troops’ bullets and feared dead.

Mr. Isa said the troops were on patrol of the waterways when they saw the hoodlums between Peregbene and Obama area of the state.

The OPS spokesman said the suspected pirates were riding a speedboat with 200 horse power engine which has been banned in the state’s waterways when they came in contact with the patrol gunboat.

“On sighting the gunboat, the gunmen tried to escape. Our troops fired at them while they were trying to run away. As they were escaping, they were firing back at our troops. About four of them were hit by bullets.

“They were either dead or sustained serious injuries.

“They navigated into a narrow creek, put off the engine of their boat and ran into the creeks. They escaped with their dead.

“One of our soldiers was shot in the leg and he was immediately evacuated to a hospital for treatment,” Mr. Ado said.

He said the troops were still combing the creeks to locate the whereabouts of the gunmen.

Mr. Ado said the Commander of the Operation Pulo Shield, Alani Okunlola, has ensured constant patrol of the waterways to fish out economic saboteurs and other maritime criminals in the Niger Delta region.

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