Fear weekend gripped residents of Okene in Kogi State as military forces launched an assault on terrorists believed to be hiding in some isolated areas in the town to perpetrate their dastardly acts.
A suburb of Okene, Inike, is said to have been notorious for harbouring suspected terrorists who usually hide in mosques to beat the prying eyes of security operatives in the area.
Since Monday, military forces have been engaging the suspected terror linchpins in a battle of firepower as the extremists attempted to repel onslaughts on their bases.
The military, acting on a tipoff, stormed the area to arrest and disarm the fundamentalists, only to be confronted by an unexpected degree of resistance. A soldier was allegedly lost to the ensuing battle.
Undaunted by the loss of one of a soldier and several injuries, the military intensified their attack and surveillance on the extremists.
Okene has continued to be in the news in recent past for terror and it would be recalled that some terrorists had attacked some worship centers in the town about three years ago, leading to the death of scores.
The recent onslaught on the terrorists’ den is yielding fruits as many of the extremists have been arrested with explosives and ammunitions.
Many firearms have been recovered from the terrorists who are said to be finding the area inconducive.
An eyewitness in Okene who craved anonymity, told Vanguard that the military had finally taken the fight to the terrorists.
According to him, many of the extremists are now finding Okene too hot and have been absconding from the place.
He said: “I am surprised by the number of firearms discovered here by the military. That was probably why the terrorists tried to fight back because they discovered the game was over.
”We have been seeing these people here but we never thought they were terrorists. They worship in the mosques around like every normal Muslim. But with the fire on them now, Okene and its environs will soon be liberated from these anti-social elements. We must win the war against terror”.
A military officer who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said the military would not relent in its efforts until the terror suspects in the area were rooted out and made to face the law.
“It is true that we have arrested those suspected terrorists and have recovered explosive devices, arms and ammunition from them.
“They will soon know that the war against terror is one that the military is committed to winning,” he said.
However, normalcy is gradually returning to Okene as residents were seen going about their businesses but military presence is still heavy in the area. Vehicles coming in and out of Okene are subjected to thorough military checks.
