– A top militant commander belonging to the NDGJM has been arrested by the JTF
– He was nabbed on Sunday with four of his foot soldiers
– It was learnt that the suspect is one of the brains behind incessant attacks on trunk lines in Ughelli, Delta state
Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation Delta Safe have arrested a top commander of the Urhobo/Isoko militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM).
The suspect whose name could not be ascertained at the time of this report was nabbed on Sunday, October 16, after diligent surveillance by JTF operatives, This Day reports.
The high profile suspect who was said to be one the brains behind incessant attacks on trunk lines in Ughelli and its environs was arrested alongside four of his foot soldiers.
After the group claimed it breached Iwhremaro trunk line in Ughelli North local government area of Delta state on Friday night, soldiers attached to 222 Battalion, Ughelli, stepped up a massive manhunt for the militants.
A top security source said: “We stepped up action when the group again claimed it vandalised another pipeline and it paid of with the arrest of one of their kingpins along with four other militants.”
The top commander’s arrest was confirmed Lieutenant Commander Thomas Otuji, the acting JTF spokesman.
Despite pleas from the federal government, militants have refused to desist from attacking oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.
A week ago, the NDGJM issued a warning to President Muhammadu Buhari over the activities of soldiers in the Niger Delta region. The group said it will not sit back and watch soldiers harass people in the region. It said if soldiers don’t desist from their military operation, the government should get ready for a guerrilla.
