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.
Someone
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.
Atleast
eight missiles were 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, said 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 said 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,
said 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.”
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