Ondo Community Residents Lament, Accuse Nigerian Navy Officers Of Murder, Rape, Property Destruction

Some officers of the Nigerian Navy have been accused of destroying properties, setting fire to a bakery, killing two persons and raping women in Obe Adun, Obejedo, and Obe-nla all in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa is from Obe-Nla, one of the affected communities.

According to multiple sources, the Nacal officers invaded the communities on Sunday, October 19.

The officers were accused of also constantly and forcibly having carnal knowledge of women in the communities.

"If they approach the females and you do not agree with them, they would make sure they have carnal knowledge of you forcibly," a source told SaharaReporters.

In the most recent incident, it was stated that some naval personnel led by their Commanding Officer, (CO) of the (FOB) Igbokoda, Commander Usman invaded three communities, Obejedo, Obe-adun and Obe-nla all in the Ilaje Local Government.

"They came into the community on 19th of October, they destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. They set fire to a bakery and carted away over N14million which is proceeds from sales in the bakery."

"OBE JEDO, OBE ADUN, OBE NLA residents were harassed, humiliated, their houses, some burnt and few destroyed, 2 lives lost, 10 missing," another source recounted to SaharaReporters.

Multiple sources also stated that at least three women were molested and "raped" by the military men.

They accused the Nigerian Navy of lacking evidence to prove claims of illegal refinery operations in the affected communities.

"They must show the gallons they recovered and the the equipment of the site, have you ever seen where bunkery equipment or refining equipment are stationed within the town where people live."

"Most times in Delta State, such inflammable products are refined inside the bush of whatever area it's stationed. These navy personnel have no defence to this issue and they should be treated accordingly," a resident who spoke to SaharaReporters under anonymity for fear of victimisation stated.

They also accused the Nigerian Navy of "calling petty trade in petroleum products in a terrain without fuel station" as illegal refinery operations.

SaharaReporters also understands that the chairman of a group, Ilaje Omuro Connect, Barrister Babatunde Omobone was arrested and taken away by the Ondo State Police Command and later handed over to the Department of State Services.

Sources noted that his arrest was due to his staunch defence of the affected communities rights.

As of the time of this report, he has been released.

A petition dated October 23, addressed to the Police Area Commander of the Okitipupa Area Command and signed by T.E. Tonibor Esq. of Omomuwasan Olarotimi & Co., legal practitioners representing Ilaje Omuro-Worldwide Connect, detailed the alleged misconduct against Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda.

The petition was signed by T.E. Tonibor Esq. of Omomuwasan Olarotimi & Co., Aseyori Chambers, Okitipupa, Ondo State.

"We are Solicitors and we write this petition according to the briefing received from Our Clients. Our Clients, Ilaje Omuro-Worldwide Connect briefed us that the said Naval personnel led by their Commanding Officer, (CO) of the (FOB) Igbokoda, Commander Usman invaded three (3) Communities, Obejedo, Obe-adun and Obe-nla all in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State," the petition read.

The petition further alleged that the naval personnel "assaulted so many people in the said communities, destroyed their houses and molested their women."

It added that, "The said Naval personnel also attacked some people in a bread bakery in Obe-adun, assaulted them and carted away the sum of Fourteen Million Naira (N14,000,000.00) being proceeds of sale for two (2) weeks in the bakery."

According to the petition, many residents have been displaced due to the attack and threats of a possible return by the naval officers.

"As we write this petition, many of the people have been rendered homeless and others running away because of the threat by the Naval personnel that they are still coming back," the petition stated.

The solicitors urged the police to intervene and ensure accountability. "Flowing from the above, as solicitors to Ilaje Omuro-Worldwide Connect we implore you to use your good offices to wade into this unruly scenario so that necesary action be taken in order to forestall further break down of law and order."

"It is our passionate appeal that proper investigation be carried out and the law should be allowed to take its course," the petition concluded.