The joint military operation deployed to the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, says it apprehended three suspected militants and pipeline vandals.

Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola, Commander of the military outfit, announced the development in Yenagoa, saying the feat followed intensified raids and patrols.

Alani explained that the raid carried out on December 6 led to recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition by troops deployed to patrol Benin River and adjourning creeks in Itagbene, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta.

He said: “The three suspects were arrested. The recovered items include one Light Machine Gun (LMG), 5 AK-47 riffles, One G3 riffle, and one LAR riffle.

“Others are 20 AK-47 magazines, two LAR riffle magazines and 415 rounds of 7.62 mm x 39 mm special, 229 x 7.62 NATO Ammunition, 273 rounds of 5.65 Ammunition, 10 dynamites and bundles of 2 detonating cord.

“The recovery of the arms and ammunition is as a result of the raids on suspected militants camps. The operation is a continuous one aimed at recovering all illegally acquired arms that have foundtheir way into the Niger Delta region.”

Okunlola assured that the suspects held in custody of Operation Pulo Shield will be handed over to the prosecuting agencies after preliminary investigations

•Photo shows Operation Pulo Shied Commander, Maj Gen Alani Okunlola..