OPC vows to engage militants in combat

- The OPC has vowed to go after militants in Lagos

- It said one of its members was shot during an invasion

- It promised to work with security operatives to root out militancy

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has declared war against Niger Delta militants terrorising the south west especially Lagos and has vowed to collaborate with security operatives.

This threat was in response to the alleged invasion of Lagos by suspected militants who reportedly kidnapped an army lieutenant.

The OPC claimed that its coordinator in the zone, Akeem Lawal, was wounded with gunshots during the kidnap.

Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin who is the publicity secretary of the Gani Adams led OPC vowed to fish out the militants and teach them a lesson as they have under-estimated the strength of the Yorubas.

He said: “We are taking no more chances. I think our tolerance has been mistaken for cowardice and it is time to act. Now we are ready to join hands with the relevant Nigerian forces to smoke out all militants that have constituted themselves as be the tail troubling the dog of Lagosians all these while. We have already moved into action, and they shall all be smoked out and dealt with, in no time.”

Part of the statement read: “In a reprisal attack, a combination of military personnel from Ojo Cantonment, Naval Officers from Navy Town and a team of men of the Gani Adams led OPC, cordoned off the creeks in the area to dislodge the arsonists from their hideout.

“It was gathered that the suspected militants, eventually bowed to the superior fire power of the team, resulting to several casualties on the side of the former while their hideouts were burnt down by the joint team.

“Meanwhile the gunmen have been terrorising Lagosians before introducing the new twist to their activities.

“Lieutenant Gyan was abducted at Ijedodo area of Abule-Ado, Lagos, resulting to military personnel under an operational code name AWATSE, being deployed to the area immediately to curb the activities of the militants.

“It was gathered that the Lieutenant was kidnapped with his service riffle while on patrol along the axis at about 5.30pm.

“His abduction sparked up sporadic shootings that Saturday as a joint force of the Military and the Police invaded the creeks and headed for the kidnappers den while another team headed for the hideout where the abducted Lieutenant was suspected to have been taken to.

“Others remained at the strategic points around Ijedodo, Abule-Ado, Totowu , Igando and neighbouring exit points, to ensure that the kidnappers did not escape.

“A fisherman who simply gave his name as Aidan, claimed to have witnessed when the Lieutenant was kidnapped.

He said: ‘I was coming to inspect my fishing net when I noticed some suspicious movements. One speed boat was at the shore with a man pretending to be carrying out repairs on it. Then all of a sudden, my fears were confirmed following a deafening gun shots. As that was going on, I saw a soldier being dragged into the speed boat that I assumed was faulty and they sped off shooting.’”

Adisa Musiliu