Soldier, Two Militants Killed In Gun Duel In Calabar

Army Chief, Tukur Buratai

At least, one soldier and two members of a militant group have been killed in Akpabuyo, Cross River State, as a group of Bakassi militants, led by one Benjamin, simply called, G-1, attacked a military van on patrol in the area.
The incident, which took place early Saturday, has thrown residents of the local government area into confusion as the Army is said to be combing everywhere in search of the militant leader, who is regarded as the most wanted criminal in the state.
Initial reports had put the Army death toll at six, but the Commandant, 13 Brigade, Brig-Gen. Bulama Biu, who refuted the reports, said that after reinforcement, a head count was ordered, and only one soldier was discovered to have died in the attack.
“Initially, we received a report that some soldiers were missing but we reorganized ourselves, and after a head count, we discovered that only one soldier died in the attack.  We are going all out to look for them, where ever they may be,” Biu said.
Biu, who did not disclose the name of the dead soldier, explained that the militants had laid an ambush without the knowledge of the soldiers, who were patrolling the area, adding that as soon as the militants opened fire on the soldiers, the latter replied, a situation which led to the killing of the two members of the militant group.
Investigations showed that the militant leader was piqued by the arrest of his two brothers, popularly known as G-2 and G-3, respectively, by security agents, and decided to take it out on the Army.
It could be recalled that Benjamin had become the most wanted militant element in the state early this year when security agents traced the spate of armed robbery and kidnappings in the state, which took place between June and July, to his activities.
The latest incident has sent jitters down the spines of residents of Akpabuyo, as people were seen moving out of the area to Calabar, a distance of less than three kilometres, while trucks heading to the UniCem plant to load cement in Mfamasong, which is within the local government area have refused to leave Calabar for fear of attack.
Reports from the area also indicate that no market or any other commercial activities have taken place within the communities, as the area had been put under strict surveillance by soldiers.
A statement released later Saturday by the Army Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed that, “Today, at the early hours of the morning, suspected militants led by the declared wanted criminal kingpin, Benjamin Simplee (Aka G-1) leader of the Bakassi Strike Force, in several speed boats, attacked troops deployed at Efut Esighi waterfront in Bakassi LGA of Cross River State.”
The statement, signed by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said that, “During the attack, a soldier was killed in action, while two soldiers were missing in action. They also burnt a buffalo pick-up vehicle. The troops have also killed two of the attackers while the rest escaped with gunshot wounds.
“However, the reinforcement sent has found the missing soldiers. In addition, the troops’ location has been reinforced with more gunboats and air component. The clearance and pursuit operation is on-going,” the statement published in PRNigeria, the Army’s bulletin noted.
According to Usman, “We would like to assure the public that this singular act would not deter us from the discharge of our duties. Therefore, the perpetrators of this dastardly act would be found and brought to justice.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to send an unequivocal warning to all the criminal elements in the society with intent to attack any of its locations to have a rethink,” it stressed.