Two soldiers attached to the Joint Military Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe on Wednesday lost their lives in a gun duel with sea pirates in Bayelsa State, a report from the area said.

The report said that the soldiers were part of a response team dispatched following a distress call on an attack by pirates operating in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Three members of the crew also sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical attention, according to the report.

Maj. Abubakar Abdulahi, Spokesman of the Joint Task Force deployed to the Niger Delta, confirmed the development in a telephone interview on Thursday.

Abdulahi described the incident as sad and said that efforts were underway to bring the perpetrators to book.

His words: “Sadly, our troops deployed at Creek 6 Houseboat in Cawthorne Channel while responding to a distress call of sea robbers attack around Ijawkiri general area engaged heavily armed sea robbers.

“Unfortunately, two gallant soldiers exhibited highest point of patriotism by paying the supreme price while 3 others sustained gunshot injuries.

“Effort is ongoing by the JTF to track and apprehend the criminals.”