Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) operatives have launched fresh offensive on the militant hideouts across the Niger Delta, the latest being the ransacking of the camp owned by Keiti Sese, also known as Nomukeme, in Foropa, Southern Ijaw Local Government in Bayelsa State.

The operatives arrested two militants and recovered weapons during the operation that saw them exchange intense gunfire with the renegades for at least 10 minutes, according to a statement the JTF Commander, Major General Charles Omoregie issued on Saturday.

This emerged as tension heightens in the oil-bearing communities over fresh hostilities there. On Thursday, unknown gunmen bombed the country home of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Timi Alaibe, killing a policeman.

That occurred on the day explosions also rocked a Delta Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Governorship aspirant’s home, killing his 73-year-old mother and nine-year-old niece.

Sese escaped arrest during the onslaught which Omoregie said is routine and targeted at ending the pockets of insurgency in the deep South, more than a year after Aso Rock declared the amnesty programme to rehabilitate the militants and address developmental challenges in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Other items recovered from Sese’s camp included a 3D seismic programme map used in monitoring routes of oil pipelines in the locality, a list of over 36 registered members of the group, and five identity cards of militants believed to have embraced the amnesty programme.

Omoregie said the operatives raided the camp on November 8.

The recovered identity cards bear the names of Jacob Pere with Amnesty card number BY/B3/910/09; Mary Yelaye, BY/B1/2090/09; Gbedi Sese, BY/B1/2080/09; Flower Shedrack ,BY/B1/2089/09; and Sese Clement, BY/B1/209/09.

Sunday Independent gathered that Sese, now on the run, had hijacked a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) lodge and Health centre in the area as its camp and was allegedly involved in other crimes such as despoil, sea piracy and bombing of oil pipelines.

The JTF said the notorious activities of the militants, coupled with complaints from the inhabitants of the locality, necessitated the invasion of the camp.

Omoregie said: “Between May and October this year, the JTF received five petitions calling for the intervention of the Force to check the criminal activities of Keiti Sese and his gang. The criminal activities listed by the petitioners included sea piracy, kidnapping, despoil, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering. The JTF also wishes to disclose that the ex-militants, who after accepting the Amnesty and benefiting from the goodwill of the Federal Government, have returned into criminality thus violating the Amnesty deal. They have been advised to retrace their steps or face the full weight of the law.

“In the light of this development and the re-emerging threat of militancy, the JTF wishes to reiterate that the Presidential Amnesty ended a year ago. Therefore, people who continue to bear arms illegally and masquerade as militants or emerging militants do so at their own risk. It must be stressed that lack of development can no longer be given as an excuse for irresponsible behaviours, criminal and treasonable acts in the region.”

Omoregie said the JTF is committed to eliminate all threats of militancy, protect government interests and shore up the dwindling confidence of Nigerians and foreigners who live and do business in the region.

Sese has denied being a criminal.

He issued a statement from his hideout accusing the JTF of acting out the script of his detractors within the ranks of ex-militants to kill him.

He accused those repentant militants of benefiting from bunkering business in the Southern Ijaw Area of Bayelsa, and warned that killing him will not, in anyway, end the criminal activities in Foropa and other areas where the illegal act is high.

He added: “When I was ready to drop arms to the state government, they ignored me and instead focused on the local government elections. My killing will not bring end to the crisis in Foropa as some enshrined interests stand to benefit from illegal oil bunkering in the area.

“People who are known to be criminals are today walking freely under the guise of amnesty, but government has refused to grant me amnesty. I am committed to accepting the Federal Government amnesty offer.”