Niger Delta Militants Fleeing To Ogun, Says CP
He said this on Sunday against the backdrop of Friday’s invasion of Imushin community in Ogijo area of the state by suspected militants.
The police boss, however, warned that the development would not be treated with levity.
Over 100 militants, who invaded the community on Friday night, reportedly killed 15 residents, as they went on a shooting spree.
Many others were injured in the attack.
Ali said militants were apparently finding it difficult to operate in the Niger Delta given the increased military deployment in the area.
He argued that due to superior firepower of the military in the region, the militants were looking for safe havens to perpetrate oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.
Ali noted that the riverine areas of the state (Ogun) had become their target, where they carry out attacks from the creeks they had turned to their hideout.
He added that the same group of militants had been behind the recent spate of pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage in the Arepo axis of the state.
Ali, however, said he had already reported the emerging security threat in the state to the authorities.
He explained that only three persons were killed when the killer militants invaded Imushin community on Friday.
He said, “It’s not true that 15 people were killed there. The DPO Ogijo was on the ground; he reported that only three people were killed and their bodies had been recovered from the scene.”
He argued that if adequate measures were not taken, the militants’ activities might lead to insurgency.
He said, “The militants are finding it difficult in Niger Delta and Ikorodu area of Lagos State. They are now moving to our side in Ogun. They are the ones involved in kidnapping and all sorts of crime.
“These boys are becoming lawless. It is the same group that killed the NNPC officials, DSS and Navy officers in Arepo. They are responsible for a lot of criminal activities in the area. Honestly, they should be treated like Boko Haram.”
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