Foundation For Human Rights and Anti- Corruption Crusade (FHRACC), a Niger Delta-based rights advocacy group, has accused troops attached to Operation Delta Safe of planning to wipe out Ajapa community in the Arogbo Kingdom, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The accusation was made in a statement signed by the group's National President, Mr. Alaowei Ebikonbowei Cleric.
According to the statement, soldiers attached to Operation Delta Safe, an anti-militancy task force, have invaded the town seven gunboats. Since their arrival, claimed the group, the soldiers have bombing the town and setting homes ablaze.
"They first came yesterday around 5 pm to burn about five houses in the community. They came back today (Wednesday) at 10 am and have being destroying the town without any resistance. There are many casualties, especially defenseless women, children and the aged ones. The world should rise in defense of the Ajapa people," said the statement.
FRHACC warned the Military High Command to restrain troops of Operation Delta Safe before their activities become genocidal.
"We have been saying that there is a sinister plan to wipe out all Niger Delta communities in order to protect the government's interest in oil. The government values the oil more than the people of Niger Delta. Why must Ajapa community be sacrificed for the sins of one man? The invasion is beyond the criminal syndicate that has been terrorizing Lagos and environs. This is purely an act of aggression," FRHACC alleged.
Military action in the community began on account of an attack on soldiers by a premium criminal gang, led by one Ossy Ibori, who was killed in a shootout with soldiers on 2 May. His gang terrorized parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states.
SaharaReporters learned that Ossy, also said to be a sea pirate, had been on the wanted list of security agencies. FRHACC argued that the military has no reason to continue its aggression in Ajapa after killing Ossy, its target.
"Now that the security agencies have successfully killed the said criminal, we do not know the reason why the military decided to bomb his hometown. We cannot accept any excuse by the military to say Ajapa is harboring criminals," the group said.
