Grief enveloped the headquarters of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, as three soldiers of the task force died in a boat mishap at the weekend. The soldiers attached to Sector 2 Command drowned at Obiaku community along Nembe waterways when their boat capsized.
Recently the JTF Commander, Major General Bata Debiro, had banned the use of speed boats for military escort for oil companies and other companies that requested for escort.
The deceased were said to be going to Nembe to take over duties from their colleagues when the incident occurred. A top security source said the JTF was investigating the circumstances surrounding the boat mishap.
According to investigation, the deceased had left Odioma and were close to Nembe when the boat capsized. The media coordinator of the JTF, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, who confirmed the incident, said the JTF had not confirmed the number of soldiers that died.
“Information reaching me confirmed that there was an unfortunate boat mishap resulting from high tidal current along the river. Rescue boats were immediately dispatched to salvage the situation. An operative was reportedly missing and search and rescue efforts are ongoing. Casualty details are not yet known,” he said.
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