The Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, said its operatives shot dead a suspected militant in a gun battle along the creek of Idema Community in Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State.
The spokesman for the Joint Media Campaign Center, Colonel Isa Ado, said four other suspects were arrested during the weekend operation.
"As a part of its effort to rid Niger Delta of sea pirates and militant activities, troops of Sector 2 Operation Pulo Shield, while on a cordon and search operation in Idema Community in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State on April 9, 2016, encountered some gunmen close to the community suspected to be sea pirates.
"The pirates engaged the troops in a gun battle before they were overpowered by the superior fire power of the troops, leading to the death of one of the gunmen while others escaped with gun shot injuries,” Mr. Ado said.
He added that several weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and two loaded magazines, were confiscated from the pirates and that four suspects were arrested.
"In a similar operation, troops of Sector 2 on April 7, 2016 also conducted a raid operation at suspected militant camps in Gbarain Community, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State and recovered three AK-47 automatic rifles,” the spokesman added.
"Other items recovered include a Magnum double-barrel gun, 273 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 7 empty magazines from AK-47 rifles, one empty magazine of a FN Rifle and 9 packs of explosives suspected to be dynamite."