•Over 100 militants killed, many injured –Source
Fidelis Soriwei, Samson Folarin and Afeez Hanafi
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.”
According to PUNCH
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