Five Soldiers Feared Dead In Boat Mishap In Bayelsa State

The soldiers were members of the military operation code-named “Exercise Crocodile Smile” which is due to be launched in the state this week.

Residents of the community told Channels Television that efforts to rescue the soldiers failed due to the high tide.

They added that two of the bodies have been recovered.

Although the army has not officially confirmed the incident, military sources, however, said the soldiers involved were rescued.

The Nigerian Army established the new military exercise in the Niger Delta on August 27.

It has a mandate to provide adequate security for residents as well as critical national economic assets in the region.

Militants’ activities have increased in the last few months in the region where Nigeria’s crude oil wealth is, with several attacks on oil installations in the area.

These activities have forced output to drop by 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.56 million bpd.

A group that calls itself the Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.

It said few weeks ago that it has agreed to a ceasefire and was ready for negotiation with the Federal Government.

source: channels news