Fears that the Niger-Delta militants may be quietly re-grouping has been confirmed by surveillance  activities of the military  Joint  Task Force, JTF in the Niger-Delta region

Following a two-day raids on the camp of the militants, a JTF team  code named Operation Pulo Shield Shield  killed  three suspected  militants during a gun battle in Benignoye community of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

 Major General Alani Okunola, the Commander of the JTF who confirmed the incident noted that   some  militants were also arrested during the operation

The Army officer maintained that  a gun duel ensued  when the JTF raided  suspected  militia camps in the Benignoye community which  escalated to a 30 minutes gun battle leading  to  the killing of three persons. One person  Ayas Abdulrahman Ingo suspected to be the militia leader sustained gun shot injuries
 
Maj-Gen. Okunola explained that during the raid which took place on September 5, the camp of the militants was placed  under heavy gun fire from the JTF lasting for about   30-minutes. "With the superior fire from the troops, the suspected militants were overpowered and they abandoned the camp in confusion , but however  took along with them their wounded colleagues."
The JTF thereafter  combed the area and discovered sophisticated weapons including Medium Machine Gun, AK 47 light machine gun and AK 47 automaticautomatic rifle.
 
Okunola added, "Other weapons recovered from the suspected militants are one Fabrique Nationale, SMI and G3 rifled. The troops also recovered one single barrelled gun, 7.62mm Nato special ammunition, 11 quantity of improvised explosive devices, identity cards belonging to Oroso Kpasco, IyadouAccording to him, a follow up operation on September 6, the JTF  on getting information of the hideout of the suspected militants that attacked Odimodi community, launched a search operation,  during which Ebiwame Lamia, who escaped from the September 5 raid was arrested.

He said during the preliminary investigation, Lamia confessed to be in the camp as of the time of the previous  raids and  confirmed that three militants died during the gun duel while their ring leader,  Mr. Ayas Abdulrahman Ingo escaped with gunshot wounds."