Battle of the creeks: JTF warns civilians to avoid battle areas

*Discovers John Togo’s new camps

By Emma Amaize
THE Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger-Delta, Thursday, warned civilians to keep off its operation areas to avoid collateral damage in the renewed battle by soldiers to dislodge militants, led by ex-militant leader, John Togo,  from Burutu local government area of Delta State.

Spokesman of the task force, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha in a Short Message System, SMS, last night, said a clear picture of the battle of the creeks, which commenced on Wednesday between the task force and militants has not emerged.

His words: “Casualties cannot be determined at the moment as the ‘fog of war’ is yet to clear”.

But he disclosed that the task force has located new militant camps erected by John Togo and gang, adding, “it is from these new camps that recent cases of sea robbery and harassment of traders in the creeks have been staged”.

“JTF is currently engaged in a military action to root out these criminals once and for all. The location of the new camp is a comfortable distance away from the community. Consequently, the use of civilians as human shield by the criminals may not arise”, he added.