Residents of Orlu have reported aerial strikes in Orlu communities of Imo State by the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force.
The airstrikes which started on Thursday are connected with the military’s resolve to dislodge the Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives said to have strongholds in the forests, SaharaReporters reported.
Operatives of ESN were involved in a clash with the Army from Obinze Barracks in January where four soldiers were reportedly killed.
Some residents of the town confirmed the incidence. A community head told SaharaReporters, “Nigerian soldiers are currently conducting aerial strikes in our areas. Many innocent lives may be lost. They are probably looking for ESN operatives who are checking the activities of killer Fulani herdsmen.”
Another resident said, “I have the video. There was an aircraft firing shots possibly in a nearby bush. Very reckless of the air force; civilians are all over the place.”
Videos have been making rounds on social media platforms of the airstrikes by NAF and NA. Nigerians reacting to the reports have expressed dismay.
Aisha Yesufu on Twitter said, “Instead of the Nigerian military to pursue the terrorists that abducted schoolchildren in Niger State they are unleashing terror in Orlu like the terrorists did in Kagara?”
Dr. Olufunmilayo said, “There are reports Nigerian Army is currently dropping air bombs killing people in Orlu, Imo State. Orlu is the second-largest city in Imo state- it is only Owerri that is bigger. How do you go to a city and carry out airstrikes? Are we now in Iraq? What is this madness really?”
Orlu is trending on Twitter with over 41,000 tweets made already.
Pingback: sbo