Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has raised the possibility of employing airstrikes to combat the ongoing insurgency plaguing the North and South Senatorial Districts of the state. In an exclusive interview, he explained that such measures were being contemplated to entirely eradicate the threat posed by these gunmen in the region.
Adeoye expressed concern for the safety of civilians, emphasizing that the authorities have thus far refrained from employing airstrikes to avoid collateral damage. However, he stressed that if the insurgents continued to endanger the lives of innocent people, the federal government might be compelled to intervene decisively.
The Commissioner revealed that the police had successfully reclaimed five out of seven local government areas previously under the control of insurgents, with efforts ongoing to secure the remaining two. Notably, these areas had faced a grim reality, with even traditional rulers fleeing their communities due to the insurgency.
He highlighted the complexities of fighting guerrilla warfare, describing the need for a deliberate and methodical approach to regain and secure territory. The use of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in strategic locations, such as Osumoghu, Ukpor, and Uli, had played a crucial role in stemming incursions from neighboring Imo State.
CP Adeoye underscored that the insurgents had been using war materials, including landmines and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, which posed significant challenges for law enforcement. Nevertheless, the Commissioner reassured that the combined efforts of the police special forces, the army, and the anti-terrorist unit had effectively checked attacks to a reasonable extent.
He concluded by urging the insurgents to exercise caution and not to overstep their boundaries, as the federal government had displayed considerable restraint in addressing the crisis. CP Adeoye’s message resonates with the broader aim of securing the safety and well-being of the people of Anambra State.
