Normalcy returns to Ogun communities after joint military operation
…As Amosun commends Buhari on attack on militants
http://www.gatewaymail.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Amosun-in-company-of-others-speaking-during-the-visit..jpg
NIGERIA: NORMALCY has returned to the troubled communities of Arepo, Ibafo and Ogijo in Ogun State following the joint military operations carried out in the area.
The military had embarked on the offensive against the militants who had terrorised and killed many residents of the three communities.
The GatewayMail correspondent, who was in company of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s convoy to the affected communities on Monday, stated that commercial and other activities have starting picking up after residents who had earlier fled the area began returning to their homes.
Following the incessant attacks, the Federal Government last Thursday carried out a joint military operation which involved men of the Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp to flush out the suspected militants.
By the end of the operation, which included air strikes, GatewayMail learnt that no fewer than 120 militants were reportedly killed.
Amosun, who visited the creek, was shocked on the level of economic damages the bandits unleashed in the communities.
At the site, hundreds of 50 liter jerrycans were well packed on the water while about 10 boats, said to belonged to the militants, were also seen at the water bank.
The Governor, in company of service chiefs in the state with his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, told journalists that he was satisfied at the military operation.
While commending President Muhammdu Buhari for his intervention, Amosun expressed shock over the illegal activities of the militants, with their level of unauthorised business organisation.
“This is a big business, well organised business, illegal though, because if you look at the number of jerrycans here, they would be in their hundreds, well put together,” the Governor said.
“You can only feel so sorry for us as a nation. Some people, all they want to do is to continue to undermine the entire Nigeria, our economy; what we stand for, they careless whether lives are lost, may be properties are damaged, they don’t care for lives, they did not have any qualms in killing people, burning houses, even raping, maiming and it is a big shame,” Amosun lamented.
He added: “But now with what is happening in Niger Delta, pressure was now put on this area and they believe this is a comfort zone really and that is the reason why they now redouble their efforts and continue with these nefarious activities.
“I want to appeal that we should not just leave this place like that, yes they’ve ran away for obvious reasons, but we have what I call a force that is beyond theirs. You know ordinarily they will come, they even go to places here and doing all sorts, but when they saw the superior power of ours, they fled and that is why you see all these things; we see all the traces, they were well-organised.”
“It is not here alone and we as a state government we will try to interface with you and we will continue to support the federal government,” the Governor said.
He further stressed: “I think may be about 500 kilometres roads to all these our creeks should be cleared so that they will not have any place to hide because if you look at all the houses and everything here clearly there is an invitation to threat even though they are criminals.
“So maybe they have places to quickly seek abode, if this place is cleared, 500 metres to the creeks you know that they cannot even hide there.”
