The Nigerian Airforce has said its bombing of the suspected hideouts of militants in the creeks of Cross River State is continuous and would soon be extended to Akwa-Ibom State and other south-south states.
The creeks were yesterday bombed on the orders of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu.
The order followed frequent attacks on vessels, police stations, seafarers including market women by gunmen suspected to be pirates and militants on the Calabar waterways.
Amosu ordered deployment of the M17 gunship helicopter to survey and bomb all suspected hideouts of militants and sea robbers along the creeks of Calabar.
This was disclosed by Commander of the 207 Special Mobility Group based in Calabar, Air Commodore Charles Ohwo.
A witness said the air attack lasted over one hour.
Speaking to journalists, the commander said the exercise will be continuous.
He said they were able to bomb suspected targets in the entire creeks of Calabar waterways up to Bakassi and environs and that the raid would extend to creeks in Akwa Ibom State.
He said the exercise was planned in conjunction with the Navy, Army and police, but led by the Air Force “because of reach and air advantage. Innocent lives were not affected.”