The Media Coordinator of the Task Force, Mustapha Anka, said on Tuesday that about 30 pirates armed with AK-47 riffles in two speedboats attacked the JTF patrol troop.
Mr. Anka, a Lieutenant Colonel, said that three of the suspected pirates died in the cross fire while a soldier and two boat operators were injured.
He said the troops also raided and destroyed an illegal oil bunkering site at Okpoko Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta, seizing nine Cotonou boats loaded with stolen crude oil.
Also impounded were seven speed boats loaded with 75 jerry cans containing illegally refined Automated Gas Oil, AGO, and five pumping machines.
The spokesperson said five suspects were arrested and are being investigated before they would be handed over for prosecution.
"JTF troops deployed at Patrick Water Side and Opobo Creek in Rivers while on patrol intercepted and destroyed a wooden boat at Bodo water ways filled with substance suspected to be stolen crude oil.
"Also at Baragbene community in southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, troops destroyed four wooden boats filled with crude oil and illegally refined AGO. Two dumps were also destroyed alongside one a Cotonou boat.
"The JTF troops deployed along Elele axis of Rivers intercepted a truck loaded with unascertained volume of crude oil suspected to be stolen," he said.
Mr. Anka said the driver escaped on sighting the troops, while the truck was towed to a safe place and set ablaze.
"Another vehicle was also intercepted along Sapele Warri express road close to Okover community in Okpe LGA of Delta convening 85 jerry cans loaded with products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.
"The driver and other occupants fled on sighting troops, while the vehicle and the products were destroyed," Mr. Anka said.