No fewer than 100 people suspected to be militants have been
reportedly killed as the Nigerian military on Saturday continued the aerial
bombardment of Fatola, the base of militants and pipeline vandals in the Arepo
area of Ogun State.
One of our correspondents who was around the scene of the
incident at the time, observed that the attack started at about 12pm and lasted
for about 30 minutes. Our correspondent counted at least eight missiles fired by a
fighter jet, which flew across the creek at intervals. Another aircraft was observed hovering around the area. Residents, who were caught unawares, ran for their lives due
to the ground-shaking effects of the missiles.
Business activities were grounded and many residents fled
their houses for fear of being hit by missiles. A resident who was on the road when the shots were fired
said the Saturday attack was more intense than previous air raids.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, she said, “The air raid
started on Thursday evening. It was just a missile that was released, but the
effect was serious. On Friday evening, another airplane which flew across the
creek released gunfire which lasted for some minutes. I could hear the shots as
if they were fired close at me. But the Thursday and Friday attacks were
child’s play compared with that of today (Saturday). “The aircraft releasing the missiles had three short wings
with a sharp mouth. It maintained a visible presence in the sky and anytime it
wanted to fire, it flew down as if it was about to crash. I never knew the
military had such a weapon.” Another resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity,
told our correspondent that he lay flat in his apartment during the Saturday
attack.
He said, “I was alone in the house with my son. The boy
shook with fright every time a missile landed. I carried him and lay flat on
the floor. The missiles shook the whole ground. I am not sure if I would continue to live here because of this. My
landlord left with his family yesterday.”
A source close to the millitants told SUNDAY PUNCH that the
missiles levelled the base of the militants, adding that more than 100 people
were killed. He said, “The whole place has been levelled. From the
information I just gathered, those killed today (Saturday) cannot be less than
100. I am aware that some of them (the militants) are presently in the waters
where they are hiding. They are making calls and seeking escape routes from the
place.”
Another source, who asked the military to intensify attacks
on the militants, said the militants abandoned their ammunition in the creeks. He said the men could regroup and cause greater havoc if
given a breathing space. He said, “The heat is on them. One of them said it was
because of the kidnap of a monarch in Lagos (Oniba of Iba) that the missile
attack was intensified.
“He said he had asked his colleagues to release the monarch,
but they didn’t listen. I am aware that the monarch will be released between
today and tomorrow, if he has not been killed.
“The military should deploy secret officials in Ibafo,
Pakuro, Wawa and other villages. I believe those places will be their next
hideouts. They must not be given any breathing space. If they are allowed to
regroup, there will be serious problems.”
The acting Director of Defence Information, Brig-General
Rabe Abubakar, confirmed the air strikes.
He said, “The joint operation will continue until the area
is secure and free from all forms of unwanted and criminal gangs whether they
are militants or vandals.” Abubakar, told one of our correspondents on the telephone on
Saturday that while he would not confirm the exact casualty figure, the knew
that some of the camps of the vandals were destroyed. He gave the assurance that the military would ensure the
destruction of more camps in the ongoing operation.
He said, “No, we cannot confirm the exact casualty figure in
the operation. There are so many camps, and we will continue to destroy them in that operation.
“We have taken some camps. The casualties cannot be
confirmed but I know that we were able to target some of their camps and
locations.”
Meanwhile, in an attempt to forestall the spate of
militants’ attacks, the Onijegun of Ijegun land in Lagos State, Oba Nureni
Akinremi, on Friday convened a meeting at his palace.
Sunday PUNCH learnt that the meeting, which was attended by
all the chairmen of community development associations in Ijegun, examined the
solution to security challenges posed by the militants. A source close to the palace and who also attended the
meeting told one of our correspondents that the community had resolved to hire
members of the Oodua People’s Congress to man strategic locations in the
neighbourhood. The source added that operational vehicles, motorcycles and
walkie-talkies would be provided for the operatives to ensure effective
performance. He said, “We have agreed to engage members of the Oodua
People’s Congress for the protection of the whole Ijegun against all the
attacks that claimed lives in the community.
We plan to hire 70 guards who would be deployed in various strategic
points in the community. “The guards are specifically meant to checkmate militants’
attacks but they will also be working with the existing security men in each
CDA. We have budgeted N5m to ensure their smooth operations and they will start
by Monday.
“People have made donations and contributions are on going
in each CDA. We want to buy three buses and at least 10 motorcycles to aid
their operations. We have already bought walkie talkie for them to communicate
with one another and they are well armed. By God’s grace, the buses will be
available on Monday.
“The operatives are a registered security organisation and
they have their uniform and identity cards.”
The source added, “Apart from that, we have resolved that
from 12am till 5am, no okada rider will be allowed to operate in the community
except there is an emergency.
“We also want to create awareness for all residents on the
need to be security conscious. We are going to do this through distribution of
pamphlets and announcements on radio stations. The abduction of the Oniba of
Iba and attacks on communities in Lagos and Ogun states are very disturbing.
That is why we are taking all these measures.”
