JTF foils pirates’ attack in PH

Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 03.02.2008

THE Joint Military Task Force in Rivers on Friday foiled an attempt by suspected pirates to rob passengers travelling by sea near Asari-Toru Local Government of the state.

A spokesman for the Force, Lt. Col. Musa Sagir, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that naval members who were returning from an escort duty ran into the pirates while attempting to rob a passenger vessel on Friday.

He said that on sighting the security personnel at Cawthorne Channel, the pirates abandoned their boats and ran into the mangroove forest without offering any resistance.

“We recovered their boat and four AK-47 assault rifles they abandoned. No arrests and no casualty on both sides,’’ he said.

He explained that after the incident the passenger boat continued its journey under the guard the force members.

Sagir reiterated the determination of the outfit to protect lives and property and restore normalcy in the area.