7 suspected Bakassi militants killed in gun battle with soldiers                  

Seven suspected militants are feared to have been killed in a gun battle with men of the Nigerian Army “Operation Delta Safe” in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State.

According to Kola Owolabi, the army public relation officer of 13 Brigade, the incident occurred at the weekend as unrepentant militant group, ‘Bakassi Strike Force’ attacked army position in the area resulting to a gun battle

According to Owolabi, the Bakassi Strike Force led by the most wanted criminal, Benjamin Ene alias G1 attacked troops position. He said the determined troops of 13 Brigade and ‘Operation Delta Safe’ repelled the attack, killing seven of the militants some of them wearing military camouflage.

He listed items recovered from the militants to include 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, rocket propelled gun launcher, GPMG belt links and assorted charms. Some of the militants, according to Owolabi, escaped with gunshot wounds. “No casualty was recorded from the military,” he explained.

Bulama Biu, the commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, said the command was working to ensure that no militant group or criminal under any guise would be spared.

“The military and other security agencies will continue to hunt down any militant group or criminals that do not surrender,” he said, adding that camps suspected to be harbouring the militants were destroyed by the military.

MIKE ABANG