Follow Us on Google
From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Things are no longer the same for the people of Ajakpa, a coastal community in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. They deserted the town following an invasion of the town by military men over the killing of a soldier by some Niger/Delta militants.
The sleepy town was practically turned upside down by the irate soldiers who allegedly burnt houses, shops, schools and other properties in a reprisal to protest the killing of one of them.
Ajakpa community located in Arugbo kingdom is populated by Ijaw ethnic group. Majority of its youths are involved in militancy. However, many of them had turned a new leaf. But militants from neighbouring states, especially, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa, relocated to the town.
The former Special Adviser to the President on Niger/Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, who hails from the area was said to have prevailed on the restive youths when in office. Many of them benefitted from the Amnesty programme initiated by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
They became restive few months ago and returned to the creeks, vandalising oil pipelines, making security personnel to be on their trail.
It was learnt that a notorious militant leader from Bayelsa State, Ossy Ibori, allegedly relocated to the town, after soldiers had been on his trail. The soldiers and the militants engaged in a gun duel leading to the killing of five militants including Ibori and a soldier.
In what appeared like a reprisal, the soldiers stormed the town forcing residents to relocate to other parts of the state, others to other Niger Delta states. Also, farms, schools and commercial places in the town were reportedly burnt. Soldiers were still in the town as at the time of filing this report.
In the clash, three other soldiers attached to Operation Delta Safe sustained injuries.
According to Major Abubakar Abdullahi, Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Center, Operation Delta Safe, the remains of the soldiers were deposited at a mogue, while the injured are on admission at the Military Hospital. He did not disclose the identity of the soldier, and the hospitals where the injured officers are receiving treatments, but maintained that the injured are responding positively to treatment.
He informed that criminal gang led by late Ibori had been terrorizing parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states prior to the operation: “They committed many atrocities threatening the peace and security of the general area. Last month, the gang killed an army captain and two policemen at Ikorodu. Also late last year, they abducted students and staff of a secondary school.
“The criminals in addition, carried out several attacks at Ese-Odo community around Ajakpa, Safarogbo and Balowo areas in Ondo State. The need to flush them out from their hideout became necessary to ensure peace and security in Ondo State.”
But a community leader in the town, Mr. Tony Ebitibituwa, said the actions of the military was unjust in a democratic setting. He appealed to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to prevail on the soldiers for residents to return to their businesses. He said properties were vandalised and life made miserable for his people:
“The Ajakpa community condemns in its entirety the attack and killing of military men by Ossy Ibori and his gang. The community does not in any way support and will not support the action of Ibori in any manner.
“The ongoing military action should wear human face and the rule of engagement should be adhered to. The entire community has been paralyzed and rendered nonfunctional.” He specifically urged government to put machinery in place to save the lives of the innocent members of the community who he said are now helpless:
“The governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state should act as a matter of urgency because of the humanitarian issue involved. Government should put in place a rescue and rehabilitation committee to save the lives of the teeming population who are now in various hideouts. The military should halt hostilities against the community just as the community would at all times condemn the attack on soldiers by the militants.”
Public Relations Officer of the 323 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks, Akure, Captain Ojo Adelegan, said the military was not involved in the burning of houses in the community: “When the militant leader, Ossy Ibori, was killed, the military issued a statement asking the people of the community to go about their normal duties. The military has not reneged on this.
“The military only went on operation to flush out militants from the community. It is the responsibility of the military to protect lives and properties of the people. How will the military turn and burn houses of people? If houses were burnt in the community, it is not done by the military. Enquiry should be made on who is responsible.”
