NAF destroys four key camps of suspected militants
– The Nigerian Air Force intensifies bombardment of the creeks of the suspected Niger Delta militants
– Four camps were destroyed in Arepo while 19 militants were arrested
The NAF pilots have destroyed four main camps of the suspected militants in Arepo, Ogun state as they continued the fourth day of the sustained aerial attacks on the hoodlums in the region. Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, the NAF spokesman, told The PUNCH that the aerial operations during the day and the night were aimed to remove the militants terrorizing communities of Ogun and Lagos states.
He stated that the operation was provided to prepare the stage for the ground troops to move in and get rid of the militants. The fighter pilots had reportedly carried out successful strikes on the two key camps in the Fatola and Abuja and two other areas. Famuyiwa added that the embattled militants were escaping from their fortress into the mangrove forest and were being monitored successfully by platforms deployed for the operation.
He said: “So, for now, it is just the Air Force that is operating in that area. We started with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance basically, to gather information about the position of those people, how fortified are they, and to look into the things that they are doing. “After that survey, we have been able to identify targets to be eliminated. The first strike was conducted on Thursday. We struck at their camps and the whole essence is to take them up so that we can dislodge them from that area pending the time that the surface forces would be able to come in.
“So, every day, we have been striking and we are doing both night and day operation. There are about four camps that have been identified, that we have struck. “The challenge is that you need to be able to match your targets with your weapons. Don’t forget that those idiots built their tents on the pipelines. It appears that it is not something that started today, it is something that has been on for years.’’
At the same time no fewer than 19 suspected militants have been nabbed by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the current aerial bombardment of creeks in the Fatola and Arepo areas of Ogun state.
Some of the suspects were reportedly arrested while fleeing from their camps being shelled by the Nigerian army. While the army had assured locals of the areas of safety, the operation had caused panic among some people in the areas. While some residents had left their homes, others were made to stay indoors. An official of the NSCDC, who took part in the operations, revealed that 19 militants were in the corps’ custody.
He said: “Nineteen militants were arrested around the Ishawo, Igbo Olomu and Elepete areas of Ikorodu on Saturday and Sunday. Some of them were caught after fleeing from the areas being bombarded while others were arrested based on information by residents. NSCDC officials from Ondo, Ogun and Oyo states are with us. We are about 150. The bombardment is still on.” NAIJ.com has reported earlier that at least 114 suspected Niger Delta militants were feared killed and scores of others wounded in attacks on their camps in Ogun and Lagos states. The Nigerian army, Air Force and Navy, began the aerial attacks on July 28 under the operation “Crocodile Laugh” in readiness for a showdown with militants in the Niger Delta.
– Four camps were destroyed in Arepo while 19 militants were arrested
The NAF pilots have destroyed four main camps of the suspected militants in Arepo, Ogun state as they continued the fourth day of the sustained aerial attacks on the hoodlums in the region. Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, the NAF spokesman, told The PUNCH that the aerial operations during the day and the night were aimed to remove the militants terrorizing communities of Ogun and Lagos states.
He stated that the operation was provided to prepare the stage for the ground troops to move in and get rid of the militants. The fighter pilots had reportedly carried out successful strikes on the two key camps in the Fatola and Abuja and two other areas. Famuyiwa added that the embattled militants were escaping from their fortress into the mangrove forest and were being monitored successfully by platforms deployed for the operation.
He said: “So, for now, it is just the Air Force that is operating in that area. We started with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance basically, to gather information about the position of those people, how fortified are they, and to look into the things that they are doing. “After that survey, we have been able to identify targets to be eliminated. The first strike was conducted on Thursday. We struck at their camps and the whole essence is to take them up so that we can dislodge them from that area pending the time that the surface forces would be able to come in.
“So, every day, we have been striking and we are doing both night and day operation. There are about four camps that have been identified, that we have struck. “The challenge is that you need to be able to match your targets with your weapons. Don’t forget that those idiots built their tents on the pipelines. It appears that it is not something that started today, it is something that has been on for years.’’
At the same time no fewer than 19 suspected militants have been nabbed by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the current aerial bombardment of creeks in the Fatola and Arepo areas of Ogun state.
Some of the suspects were reportedly arrested while fleeing from their camps being shelled by the Nigerian army. While the army had assured locals of the areas of safety, the operation had caused panic among some people in the areas. While some residents had left their homes, others were made to stay indoors. An official of the NSCDC, who took part in the operations, revealed that 19 militants were in the corps’ custody.
He said: “Nineteen militants were arrested around the Ishawo, Igbo Olomu and Elepete areas of Ikorodu on Saturday and Sunday. Some of them were caught after fleeing from the areas being bombarded while others were arrested based on information by residents. NSCDC officials from Ondo, Ogun and Oyo states are with us. We are about 150. The bombardment is still on.” NAIJ.com has reported earlier that at least 114 suspected Niger Delta militants were feared killed and scores of others wounded in attacks on their camps in Ogun and Lagos states. The Nigerian army, Air Force and Navy, began the aerial attacks on July 28 under the operation “Crocodile Laugh” in readiness for a showdown with militants in the Niger Delta.
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