No
fewer than 50 persons were feared killed on Thursday night when suspected
militants invaded border town communities between Ogun and Lagos.
NAN
reports that the areas affected include Igbo Olomu, Oke Muti, Bolorunduro, elepete
and Ajegunle in Ikorodu North Local Government Area.
The
invaders had invaded some communities in the area last Saturday, killing more
than 15 persons.
According
to sources, the gunmen arrived the communities at about 10 pm and operated
unchallenged till the early hours of Friday.
“The
people came and started shooting their guns. They went to Igbo Olomu, Oke Muti,
Bolorunduro and Ajegunle. In all of these places, they killed more than 15
people,” a source said
The
source said that five persons were killed at Igbo Olomu, while about six
security guards were also killed. The source said most of the victims were
innocent residents who were unlucky to have been at the wrong place at the
time.
One
of the victims was beheaded and his head was taken away by the gunmen. The
source said community leaders were going round the communities in search of
more victims.
“As
I speak with you, the leaders are still going round the communities in search
of possible victims.
“One
of those that were killed was beheaded and they took away the head. Nobody
knows why they did so, but I can tell you that the leaders are not leaving the
matter lying low, and they are meeting to find a solution,” the source said.
Another
resident, who pleaded anonymity, lamented the absence of security agencies in
the area. He said the gunmen operated for hours without any sign of security
agencies.
Sources
also explained that, in a show of strength, the gunmen went round the
communities, firing sporadic shots into the air to announce their presence,
while at the same time daring anybody to come out.
“It
was like a war situation. Though I am not a soldier, I could tell from the
sound of their guns that they were holding sophisticated weapons.
“Only
God knows the number of bullets that they fired, because they were firing
non-stop.
“We
didn’t know whether they were entering people’s houses, so I tried to hide my
family members.
“Some
hid themselves inside cupboards, while others went under their beds. It was
really terrible.”
A
source also told said that the invaders were returning from oil bunkering
operations when they ran into a vigilante group.
The
suspected militants allegedly shot at the unsuspecting vigilance group, killing
two on the spot, while several others were left injured.
“They
attacked our communities around 10p.m on Thursday night. We were outside
keeping vigil over incessant armed robbery attacks.
“We
had bonfires in some areas and the militants opened fire on anyone around. They
came out from the creek,” the source said.
Lagos
State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, accompanied by the Commander of RRS,
some Area Commanders and the Head of MOPOL 20 Squad, visited the communities
yesterday.
Owoseni
urged the people to cooperate with the policemen and soldiers deployed in the
area and to help with useful information.
The
spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, said security
had been beefed up in the area. She said calm had returned to the area.
She
was, however, silent on the casualty figure, saying investigation was ongoing.
Her
Ogun State counterpart, Muyiwa Adejobi, said two people died on the Ogun State
side of the communities. He said policemen were now on ground in the
communities to maintain the peace.
He
appealed for calm, assuring that the police would get the criminals and bring
them to justice, as efforts are being made to reinforce security measures
around the area to ensure safety of lives and properties.
Tags
Society