Source correspondent who visited the communities in company of the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, observed that commercial and other activities were beginning to pick up after residents had earlier abandoned the areas due to the activities of the militants.
The militants had earlier sacked the communities, killing a number of people, and destroying properties.
A joint military task-force involving the Nigeria Army, Navy, State Security Services, the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, was deployed to the area since Thursday and had engaged the militants in a gun battle, forcing them out of the communities.
It was gathered that about 120 militants were killed during the operation which involved the use of air bombardments.
Mr. Amosun and his team of officials were shocked at the extent of damage done by the militants to the communities.
The entourage was greeted by hundreds of plastic kegs used by the militants to siphon petroleum products and 10 boats at the water bank said to belong to the militants.
The governor expressed satisfaction at the military operation and lauded President Muhammdu Buhari for the intervention.
He expressed dismay over the illegal activities of the militants,observing that it was a well organised illegal business.
“This is a big business, well organised business, illegal though, because if you look at the number of jerrycans here, they would be in their hundreds, well put together,” Mr. Amosun said.
“You can only feel so sorry for us as a nation, some people, all they want to do is to continue to undermine the entire Nigeria, our economy, what we stand for, they care less whether lives are lost, or properties destroyed, they only concerned about killing, burning houses, even raping, maiming. it is a big shame,” he said.
“But now with what is happening in Niger Delta, pressure is on these areas and they believe this is a comfort zone really and that is the reason why they now redouble their efforts and continue with this nefarious activities.
“I want to appeal that we should not just leave this place like that, yes they have left for obvious reasons but we have what I call a force that is beyond theirs.
“It is not here alone and we as a state government we will try to interface with you and we will continue to support the federal government.
“I think about 500 kilometres road to our creeks should be cleared so that they will not have any place to hide.
“If this place is cleared, 500 metres to the creeks you know that they can not even hide there.”
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