Troops of ‘Operation Delta Safe’ in line with its mandate to rid Niger Delta of all criminal acts of militancy and kidnappings in a special operation repelled an attack on troops location around Ajakpa community in the creeks of Southern Ondo State last night. The attack was led by one notorious gang leader, Ossy Ibori with a hideout at Ajakpa, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Ibori popularly known as ‘General Ossy’ was one of the leaders of the militant gang that engage in kidnapping and vandalism at the Lagos and Ogun States border communities. The gang also had carried out a number of bank robberies in both states.
Ossy was gunned down during a gun duel with the security operatives along with some of his gang members. His body was identified by some of the locals in the area. While search for other criminals who jumped into the water with gunshot wounds is ongoing, troops had recovered one AK-47 Rifle and four magazines.
While the criminal gangs led by Ossy Ibori were terrorising Lagos,Ogun and Ondo States prior to this operation, they committed many atrocities threatening the peace and security of the general areas. Last month, the gang kill an army captain and two policemen at Ikorodu. Also late last year, they abducted students and staff of a secondary school in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The criminals in addition, carried out several attacks at Ese-Odo community around Ajakpa,Safarogbo and Balowo areas.
According to Major Abubakar Abdullahi, the coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Center, the need to flush the gang out from their hideout became necessary to ensure peace and security in Ondo State.
Sadly in the process, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while three others sustained gunshot wounds. They have since been moved to military hospital for proper medical attention.
“While the operation is ongoing, let me appeal to law abiding residents of the affected communities to remain calm, vigilant and support our troops with valuable information on whereabouts of other criminals,” said Abdullahi.
