BY Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa- The intelligence unit of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Restore Hope, and the Bayelsa State Police Command have launched investigations into the alleged involvement of a militant group operating on the creek of Egbema-Angalabiri in the Ekeremor Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, in recent cases of kidnapping, piracy and attack on oil installations in the state.

Already, two persons in possession of three AK 47 rifles with 107 rounds of ammunition had been nabbed and handed over to the police.

According to a security source, the militant group was allegedly led by one of the commanders who served under late ‘General’ John Togo. He was believed to have relocated to the Ekeremor flank on the Atlantic fringe during the bombardment of Ayakoromor community in Delta State by JTF.

The source said evidence collected from the scene of the recent kidnap of the Ebeni Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, King Godwin Igodo, indicated that the militant leader was involved.

Parading some suspects at the state Police Command, yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Aliyu, said the two persons arrested by JTF and handed over to the police were members of a group involved in piracy and kidnapping in the state.

Musa said three others were arrested for questioning to know the level of their involvement in the case.