As the military bombardment of the bases of suspected militants in parts of Lagos and Ogun States intensifies, stakeholders, while commending the efforts of both the federal and the state governments at ridding the affected areas of criminal elements who have been terrorizing coastal communities in Ikorodu, Arepo and Ogijo areas of the two states, are also calling attention to the attendant problems of internally displaced persons being created in the said areas and their environ.
Following weeks of violent activities by suspected Ijaw militants in parts of the two states, resulting in several dates and kidnaps, combined military forces of the Nigerian Air Fore and the Nigerian Army, last Thursday, started bombarding identified targets described as operational bases of the militants in the southwest.
According to reports and eyewitness accounts, scores of militants were reportedly killed in the joint military operation that has been ongoing for over a week now. Similarly, many residents of the affected areas and those living nearby, have been forced by the operation to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
Code-named Operation Awatse, the attacks have seen militant bases in Arepo, Ikorodu, Ogijo, Fatola and many others coming under severe military arial pounding. While many militants hideouts, especially in the creeks scattered along the coastal stretch of Lagos and Ogun states, were bombed, many houses around the areas were also shaken by the impact of bomb explosions.
The Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, while confirming the development, said, “The military only conducts its routine operation for the purpose of denying the vandals and other criminal elements from causing terror in the area. The operation, codenamed, Operation Awatse, was initiated by the defence headquarters to dominate the area with a view to flushing out all manners of criminals including militants and saboteurs. The operation involved the joint forces of the navy and army and it has been successful.”
Stakeholders and residents, aside seeking help for the people displaced by the crises in the affected communities, have also being praising the effort of the government and the military in curbing the nefarious activities of the militants who had held the border communities by the jugular for months, killing, maiming, kidnapping and stealing all the way.
Hon. Babajimi Benson, the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the national assembly, while commending the ongoing military intervention in the affected areas, said Operation Awatse will go a long way in showing militants that they have no business in the southwest. He described militants operating anywhere in the region as criminals.
‘I am pleased with the military bombardment. It is a good development. One that will show these criminal elements masquerading as militants that they have no business in the southwest, especially Lagos. I don’t actually see these people as militants but criminals. Pipeline vandalism in Ikorodu and kidnapping in Iba have not relationship to militancy. These people are criminals to the best of my understanding,” he said.
He praised the federal government, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the military for promptly intervening to stop the criminalities being foisted on Ikorodu and its environs by the militants. He expressed joy that following his motion on the floor of the House of Representatives few days ago, seeking urgent help for the troubled communities, the government responded with Operation Awatse.
The lower House had, following a motion moved by Hon. Benson and promptly seconded by Hon. Mukaila Kazzim representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, directed the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies particularly the Army and Navy to protect lives and properties in the affected communities.
Benson, while moving the motion stated while debating the motion in a passionate voice on the floor of the House, painted a gory picture of the incidents of the last two weeks in the affected communities and urged his colleagues to pity the unfortunate conditions into which many families and residents of the area have been thrown by the rampaging attackers.
The lawmakers said he is delighted that he is able to get the attention of the government of both Lagos and Ogun State in his quest to get help for his troubled constituents. According to him, the people have been given reasons to repose more confidence in government and elected political office holders.
‘Because we were able to get help for them when the badly needed it, the have been given reasons to repose more confidence in government and elected political office holders. I can tell you that our people, especially those in the affected areas, are grateful to the federal government, Governor Ambode and the military for the respite,” he said.
The federal legislator however appealed to governments, especially the federal government, through the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to, aside from ridding the areas of militants, should as a matter of urgency, provide help for the growing numbers of internally displaced persons.
“We are happy with the bombardment. But beyond the military operations, we now we need serious help from NEMA to alleviate the sufferings of displaced people. The activities of the militants in past weeks led to many people becoming homeless as the fled to avoid being killed or kidnapped.
“Many took refuge in camps and other makeshift arrangements. This gave rise to a situation where we find many of them needing various type of helps and assistances. We have tried our bits but a lot is still left to be done. That s why I am begging NEMA to swiftly without delay move into that area and render the much needed help.“
You will recall that while moving the motion to call for help on the floor of the House, I urged the 8th Assembly not to only assist in putting a stop to the attacks by mandating the police, the army, the navy to move in, but to also direct NEMA to pay particular attention to these communities so that these heinous crimes can be abated.
‘Subsequently, the House directed NEMA to carry out a fact finding mission in order to ascertain the level of damages and provide relief materials to the victims. Speaker Yakubu Dogara also specifically mandated the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Defence, Police Affairs and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance. So, I am urging that relief effort should start immediately,” he said.
Similarly, indigenes of Remoland in Ogun East senatorial district of Ogun State, has commended what they called the timely intervention of government in the affected areas through the ongoing military operations. Speaking under the auspice of The Remo Group (TRG33), the indigenes explained that Ogijo, a part of Remoland, is one of the communities badly affected by the activities of the militants and vandals.
While thanking the federal government for the military operation, the group hailed the efforts of both Lagos and Ogun states in tackling the menace and urged people in the affected areas to bear the inconveniences emanating from the bombardment for a little longer in expectation of lasting peace and tranquility.
A release signed by the Spokesperson of the the group, Temitope Adetayo, read in part: It is our joy that the hitherto unhindered reign of terror by militants in many of our communities along the coastal areas, appears to have come to an abrupt halt following the intervention of the military. For this we are immensely grateful to the governments of Lagos and Ogun state.
However, we want to urge that palliative efforts be included in the ongoing operation, for the internally displaced people of these affected communities. It is when this is done that the many scars of the unfortunate murderous invasions suffered by the helpless residents of Ogijo, Ikorodu and others, will begin to heal gradually.”
