Following the arrest of kidnap kingpin Kelvin Prosper, no fewer than 13 people were feared dead when group of youths loyal to the kidnapper attacked members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kokori Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that troops deployed to Kokori with the mission of securing the area shortly after the arrest of Prosper, came under intense gunfire, which led to shootout that lasted for over three hours before the youths were overpowered.

Also, the gang’s spiritual head, Michael Omonigho and Prosper’s close associate, Charles were also arrested by the JTF.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who addressed reporters yesterday in Warri, confirmed the arrest. The body recovered from Kokori on Wednesday night has been taken to Effurun Barracks headquarters of the Sector 1 Command of the JTF.

Our sources disclosed that some of the youths that died were dragged to unknown destinations by their colleagues during the shootout.

It was gathered that two of the troops’ Hilux vans used for Wednesday’s operation were damaged by the hoodlums, who attempted to set them on fire by shooting the fuel tanks repeatedly.

“Luckily for us, the tank was made of plastic. They were able to destroy the tyres and we had to move the vehicle out of the town with flat tyres before fixing it,” a JTF source, who was part of the team, disclosed.

At least 15 vehicles of various brands were smashed and burnt in the town; although it could not be ascertained if the destruction was carried out by the soldiers or the rampaging youths.

Meanwhile, following the attack of security agents by the youths loyal to Kevin, the 3 and 222 battalions of the Nigerian Army in Effurun-Warri and Agbarha-Otor, yesterday began a military operation to rid Kokori and neighbouring communities of remnants of Kelvin’s gang members.

They’ve deployed troops to strategic areas, especially the Orhioke-Kokori crude oil well, to prevent it from being set on fire.

The operation was led by Lt.-Col Ifeanyi Otu (3 Battalion) and Lt. Col VC Ibeh of 222 Battalion.

In another development, Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has declared dusk-to-dawn curfew on Kokori saying nobody should be found outside the community once it is past 6pm.

Uduaghan vowed that the military operation would continue until all remnants of Kelvin’s men and their supporters were arrested.

 “The overall objective (of military operation) is to flush out the criminal gangs, get their arms and ammunition and restore normalcy to the town.”

The Governor also warned those living in neighbouring communities not to move about aimlessly in the area.

He expressed his disappointments that women in the community support their children’s criminalities, saying: “It is a shame that Kokori women came out dancing with their children holding guns. In other places, women dance with their graduating children.”

He said innocent people would be spared, adding that all must bear some pains to wrest the town from the hoodlums.

The governor assured oil companies of adequate security, urging them to ignore the threat of the so-called Liberation Movement of Urhobo People.