The Joint Military Task Force known as Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) yesterday confirmed the deployment of troops to Nembe and Ogbia communities of Bayelsa State against possible attacks by suspected sea pirates and kidnappers ahead of the resumption of work on the Nembe-Ogbia 27kilometre road project in the area.
The deployment of troops, according to the OPS, was due to the March attack on the convoy of the officials of the road construction giant, Setraco, which led to the killing of two soldiers and abduction of an expatriate work of the company.
The representative of the joint task force, Col. Gold Chibuisi, while speaking yesterday in Yenagoa during a meeting initiated by the Bayelsa State deputy governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah and the two funding partners, comprising the Niger Delta Development Commission and Shell Petroleum Development Company, as well as Setraco, said that the task force has taken some measures to step up security on the Ogbia-Nembe road, by way of increase in the deployment of personnel as well as increase in check-points and patrol.
According to him, the recent killing of two soldiers on the road was unfortunate and shocking, saying that the task force would liaise with Setraco to ensure better security.
Earlier, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), expressed appreciation to all the partners in the project for coming together to chart the way forward for the project.
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