Militancy: Troops Arrest Alleged Leader Of “Operation Crocodile Tears”

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, September 7th, 2016

The Nigerian Army said its troops of 4 Brigade have arrested a suspected ex-Militant leader Mr. Gabriel Ogbudje who is also alleged leader of “Otugas Fire Force” – a militant group threatening to attack Utorogu Gas Plant.

The suspect was alleged to be responsible for the recent blowing up of the NPDC/Shoreline major delivery trunk line within Ogo-Oteri general area on the 26th of July, 2016.

Ogbudje who subsequently code named “Otugas” as “Operation Crocodile Tears” was trailed and later arrested by troops along Agbor-Abraka road, Edo State on Tuesday 6th September 2016.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman in a statement issued Wednesday disclosed that the suspected terrorists’ leader has since been on the run since he was declared wanted because of his public declaration as the leader of the militant group “Otugas Fire Force”, as published by the two National Dailies (Vanguard and Thisday newspapers) on 31st August 2016.

Gabriel was arrested along with his accomplice; Mr. Elvis Dweller Ejus when the Brigade was engaged on the military field training exercise nicknamed “Operation Crocodile Smile”.

Colonel Usman confirmed that the two suspects have been handed over to Operation DELTA SAFE for further interrogation and subsequent handing over to the relevant security agency for prosecutions.

Army also recalled that its troops of 13 Brigade in conjunction with Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Air Force and covert operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency, arrested a suspected kingpin of the Niger Delta Avengers, namely Isaac Romeo who they alleged goes by the appellation of “G2” in their terrorists camp.

The suspect was arrested along with two other persons – Mr. Lawson Samson and an elderly man, Mr. Iyang Ekpo in Calabar, Cross State while driving in a vehicle with registration number, CRS 86 AO1 on Saturday, 3rd September 2016.

The Army Spokesperson explained that the arrest followed painstaking efforts and tracking of the militant who was in the State to perpetrate further criminal activities of sabotaging critical infrastructures. The suspects are also being investigated.