The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has announced the arrest of six suspected pirates behind the attack of its patrol troops in Bayelsa waterways on December 22.

It said that the arrest was made by the anti-kidnapping and piracy squad of the JTF following a man hunt launched after three soldiers were killed in the attack.

Parading the six suspects before newsmen yesterday at JTF’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Col. Mustapha Anka said the troops recovered a cache of arms in the ongoing operations.

His words: “During the week long operation, three Browning Machine Gun (BMGs) with registration Nos 1981 with stand, B572 Banel No Z90323 with stand, HMG – 50 Machine Gun ST Kinetics Serial No 2405PM with sitting, with its links ammunition buried under ground were recovered.

“Others are one AK 47 Rifles without registration No, a G3 Rifle with No G310D792 and She Rifle with Reg No T67439 and Wooden Dummy rifle.

“Other items include three gunboat batteries, 1 HP laptop computer, One Police fragmental jacket, 1 x 200 horse power engine, empty cases of 12.7mm ammunition of HMG gun, one search light with batteries.

“Also recovered were one bag containing boat tools, one Nokia G6 mobile phone, two rifle butts and one plastic toy pistol from Ukubie Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.”

Anka explained that the arrest of the suspected pirates and recovery of ammunition have restored normalcy to the Niger Delta creeks and waterways.

He reiterated that the command under the leadership of Major General Emmanuel Atewe remained committed to safe guarding the region before, during and after the 2015 general elections.

The optimism, according to Anka, arises from the recent delivery of 30 gunboats to the JTF by the Defense Headquarters to fight various criminalities, especially as the 2015 general elections approaches.

He assured that the command was intensifying efforts through constant and aggressive day and night operational patrols to ward off miscreants from perpetuating their nefarious activities.

The JTF also warned perpetuators of illegalities in the Niger Delta to desist from any form of criminal act as the command is bent on fishing out criminals and ensuring they face the wrath of the law.

•Photo shows the suspected pirates being paraded by the JTF . . . yesterday in Yenagoa.

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