The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of one soldier in a fierce gun battle with militants near Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre of Operation Delta Safe, in a statement issued this Friday explained that “During the fire fight, one gallant soldier and a civilian staff attached to the military houseboat paid the supreme price for defending fatherland as against reports of four soldiers being killed.”

Abdullahi also stated that a rescue team supported by gunboats was immediately dispatched to the area and they were able to locate and support two other soldiers who engaged the militants.

“The current operations in the creeks and rivulets around the general area are surgical operations designed to fish out the perpetrators of that dastardly act some of whom fled into neighbouring communities.

“The job of the JTF remains to keep the peace on the waterways, creeks and the Niger Delta in general. Operation Delta Safe and indeed the Nigerian Military does not carry out reprisal attacks on innocent citizens as alleged in some quarters,” he said.

The Army advised members of the public especially residents of areas where operations are being conducted to go about their lawful duties at this time of Sallah break and celebration.