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
'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 Tuesday 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 Tuesday 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.
Nigerian top secret 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, Ejigbo, Idimu, Ikorodu, Ketu, and Ojota 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
Wednesday
'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 Wednesday
'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 Oni HBba of Iba and attacks on
communities in Lagos and Ogun states are very disturbing. That is why we
are taking all these measures.' For more information visit
nigeriantopsecret.blogspot.com
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