The military exercise, Operation Crocodile Smile, yesterday suffered a major loss following a boat accident along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The accident led to the death of four soldiers by drowning.
Also missing were service rifles belonging to the missing soldiers. New Telegraph gathered that the incident occurred at about 10a.m. It was said to have created panic among newly deployed soldiers.
Though the mission of the soldiers in the area could not be confirmed, it was said to be not unconnected to the security operations against renewed militancy, sea piracy and search for those threatening to hoist the Niger Delta Republic flag in the area.
An indigene of the community simply identified as Okpoi, told New Telegraph that attempts by community youths and other soldiers to assist in a rescue operation failed, as the drowned soldiers could not be found.
He said: “In recent times, we have been noticing increased movement of soldiers in our area. The boat that capsized was conveying a new batch of soldiers to the waterfront.
I was going to dispose of refuse at the waterfront and I saw uniformed soldiers struggling to rescue their colleagues in a capsized boat.
“When the confusion subsided, four soldiers were found to be missing with their rifles and other military gear.
Some others that were rescued had their rifles missing and struggling out of the water.” It was gathered that as at 2p.m., the military authorities sought the help of local divers and youths to assist in the search for the missing soldiers.
One of the youths confirmed that the high tide of the water was impeding the search for the missing soldiers.
The State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Comrade Lyyod Sese, who confirmed the incident, said the union had received the report on the boat incident, “but don’t have details on the numbers of casualties.”
Also confirming the incident, an official of Brass Local Government Council, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development. “But we thank God it was a natural incident,” he said.
– New Telegraph
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