The military operation in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, Operation Crocodile Smile, suffered a major loss on Monday following a boat accident along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, leading to the death of four soldiers by drowning.
Also missing are service rifles belonging to the missing soldiers.
It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 10 a.m. on Monday, created panic among newly deployed soldiers.
The State Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Lyyod Sese, who confirmed the incident, said the union had received the report on the boat incident, “but [we] don’t have details on the number of casualties.”
Also confirming the incident, an official of Brass Local Government Council, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development, calling it a “natural incident.”
Attempts to get confirmation from the authorities of the Joint Military action known as Operation Delta Safe (ODS) failed, as the Acting Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Otuji did not answer his calls.
Though no authority has confirmed the mission of the soldiers in the area, it may not be unconnected with the security operations against renewed militancy, sea piracy and search for those threatening to hoist the Niger Delta Republic flag.