The
Nigerian Army has justified its use of brutal force against pipeline
vandals in Arepo, Ogun State after it bombed the area killing many.
The Army attacked pipeline vandals using helicopter
The Nigerian Navy has justified why it used helicopters to attack
pipeline vandals at Arepo in Ogun state killing and injuring scores.
Speaking about the incident at the weekend, the Flag Officer
Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai said it
became necessary that the NN had to act the way they did because the
vandals were using offensive weapons and had blocked every accessible
route that would have made it possible to penetrate the waterways with
trees.
Speaking with defence correspondents at the Headquarters in Apapa, the FOC said, “It
has become necessary for me to brief you since we commence the on-going
operations in Arepo, Ogun State. You are all very familiar with the
ugly situations that have been developing around the area ranging from
pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
“Last month, we got directives from the Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS) that we should carry out an operation in the general area of Arepo
with a view to dismantling vandals’ camps and shanties around Arepo,
Ibafo, Ishawo and other axis.
“Initially, we were directed not to use air power but after we
carried out surveillance, a lot of them had moved from areas accessible
by water and land to areas that are very difficult to access into the
swampy areas and in the mangroves of the general operation area.
“We got the consent of the CDS that the best way we can take
out the criminals was to resort to the use of air power. He granted us
permission to do a general re-assessment and employ attack helicopters
to take out those targets.
“We also got in touch with Ogun state and Lagos state
governments because it was their domain. After we gathered necessary
information through Airforce aircraft surveillance concerning their
activities, the location of these shanties and camps, and having fully
analyzed the videos, we were able to pinpoint some areas that we needed
to destroy.
“Importantly, the revelations of the videos showed that a lot
of pipeline vandalism was on-going because we could see wooden boats
with lots of jerry cans together. The inaccessibility of where they are
operating was just a hindrance to anybody going to that place.
“To block anybody coming after them, they cut trees to block
the water ways outside the fact that the water is very shallow that only
very small canoe can navigate. Sometimes, they have to remove the canoe
from the water, take it to the other side that is a bit deep so that
they can move. That underscores the importance why we have to use
airpower to take them out.
“we have initiated the operation; and had our first assault
yesterday. We were able to knock off some targets and the surveillance
aircraft went up to do the after battle assessment for us.
“Equally, we were able to interpret the video clips and could
see that after the first attacks, they came out from where they were
hiding with guns. They mounted their canoe with General Purpose Machine
Guns (GPMG). The interpretation was that all that is happening there is
“deliberate and well planned.”
“Since they could arm themselves to that magnitude, it is our
wish that at the end of this operation, we would find a means of going
into the place to comb the general area.
"However, we anticipated that some of them would run away and
the only two ways that they could leave that place, is either by land or
water. For the land components- the army, police, Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been able to identify some getaway
routes and blocked them. The getaway routes by water, the naval forces
have also blocked them and have also employed our Special Boat Service
(SBS) are operating along to deal with that aspect.
"Adding that the Department of State Security (DSS) was part of
the operation, the FOC further added that they have blocked all the
escape routes towards Ogun state. He pointed out that the operation was
going to be sustained until they see the criminals routed.
In addition to using attack helicopters, Bobai said, “We are
going to take out more targets using the Alfa jet. They are on the
ground to enhance our operations. We have to use the air power because
of the nature of the terrain."
Asked about the causality figures, Rear Admiral Bobai said he
cannot comment on that now since they have not been able to access the
general operation areas because of the terrain.
“We use air power because we could not access the place through
land or water. To tell you the number of casualties on either side, I
cannot tell you. We are yet to go into the area by either water or land,
he explained.
On the protection of lives of kidnapped victims that might have
been taken into hiding in the operations zone, the FOC reiterated they
are mindful of the jerry cans not to have them exploded.
“As a result, we have asked that fire service should be brought
close to the place in case of any eventualities. For the kidnapped
victims, we are not oblivious of that to protect them during the
attacks.
“However, the criminals built some wooden platforms under the
mangroves; if we knock off those wooden platforms, it would be difficult
for them to move in the swamp. We would sustain the operation as long
as necessary.”
The Navy added that to arrest the resurgence of the criminalities, they are doing all within their powers to “get to the source of their sponsors.”
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