THE Joint Task Force, code-named Operation Pulo Shield, has declared the leader of a Bakassi militant group in Cross River State, known as Lapto Marine Force, wanted.

This follows Saturday’s rescue of 28 workers of an oil servicing company, Sinopec, at the Ikang waterways in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state.

The workers were said to have been kidnapped by the group.

One of the workers, who allegedly ran away when the JTF stormed the camp, was rescued in the neighbouring Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

The Commander of the JTF, Maj. Gen. Johnson Ochoga, on Sunday, said, “The 28th person has been found. So, all of them are safe. The one that was not immediately seen has been picked up and he is sound and safe. They have been handed back to the oil company, Sinopec.

“The last person was rescued at Akpabuyo. The 27 others were rescued from the Lapto’s camp in the creeks, close to Ikang. The oil workers were kidnapped when they were going to Sinopec’s site located in Akwa Ibom State.”

Although, the JTF had on Saturday, when it rescued the abducted oil workers, declared the gang leader, Lapto (29) wanted, Ochoga, however, said the militant leader was on the run.

He said, “He is declared wanted. He is not a friend to anyone, if he can take 28 Nigerians captive and this is not the first of its kind.”

Speaking in an interview, one of the oil workers, Boniface Christopher, said their abductors rounded their three boats up on their way to work at Koko River.

Meanwhile, the JTF has denied allegations that the militant group was one of those agitating for the self determination of Bakassi people.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, described the group as a criminal gang that had nothing to do with the group agitating for the liberation of Bakassi people.

However, former militant leaders in the Niger Delta region have condemned the invasion of ‘General’ Lapto Marine’s camp.

The ex-militant leaders said Lapto’s camp was attacked Saturday morning, even when he (Lapto) had expressed his readiness to surrender his weapons on Sunday (yesterday).

Speaking with newsmen on Sunday under the aegis of the Leadership Forum for Peace in the Niger Delta, the former militant leaders expressed shock that soldiers could attack Lato’s camp after they had earlier embarked on a peace mission to the camp with a captain in the Nigerian Army.

Leader of the group, Reuben Wilson, who described his members as ex-freedom fighters, said the forum had been able to convince some militant leaders to leave the creeks with a promise that they (militants) would not be hurt by the government.

He said, “The latest move was our talks with General Lapto Marine who has a camp in Bakassi. He had finally agreed to come out of the creeks when he got convinced that he would not be harmed.

“To our shock, we learnt on Saturday that our peace moves and Lato’s subsequent decision to leave the creeks is being threatened, as security operatives have occupied his camp and engaged in sporadic shootings since Saturday. Whatever may have led to this is what we cannot say.”