Hell was let loose yesterday in Igando, Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos State as suspected militants engaged the police in a bloody shootout.

The incident which happened at Ewedogbon community along Iyana Iba/Igando road, started early in the morning when the militants stormed the village to kidnap and rob innocent persons.

Daily Sun investigation revealed that the residents, apparently on alert, started fleeing the community to escape the attack.

Frustrated and angered that their mission to kidnap the residents for ransom failed, the militants started shooting sporadically.

The sound of the guns attracted police attention. It was gathered that the combine team of police and military personnel did not waste time to respond as they promptly engaged the militants in gun duel.

The operatives successfully repelled the militants as they engaged themselves in a gun battle for over two hours.

The militants escaped in four speed boats and as they were running, some of them were shot by security operatives.

However, five persons, including a policeman were injured.

As at press time, combined team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Mobile Police Force (MPF), and the army were on the ground.

Over 50 patrol vehicles and 10 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were stationed at the scene.

A resident, John Ogenevo said: “We are tired of the war situation we found ourselves in Lagos. Any waterway is now a dangerous route. It was in the same route, the militants came and abducted the Oba of Iba. They have come again to abduct another person. Who knows who they came for. This axis was haven for pipeline vandals, now that there is no avenue for siphoning fuel, they have now resorted to kidnapping.

Another witness said: “The hoodlums stormed our community comprising of Fatoki, Obadore and Egan early hours in the morning. Our area is about five minutes to Iba where Oba Yushua Oseni was abducted. They came in speed boats. They stole our generators, Televisions, money and other items. The police actually responded on time and repelled the idiots who escaped in speed boats.”

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the attack said: “At the early hours of today, hoodlums invaded a community in Igando in large numbers in attempt to cause havoc and a state of insecurity in the area. There was panic and the residents sent a distress call to the police .The police responded swiftly and repelled the hoodlums who fled. “Without being boastful, our response to distress call is fantastically swift. The community has been commending us. We have strategically positioned policemen in locations where they can be reached by members of the public. “The Marine Police has been deployed to our waterways and more strategies have also been put in place to prevent future attacks.

She advised members of the public to emulate the spirit exhibited by the Igando community who quickly alerted the police. “If you alert us on time, our efforts will pay off as it happened today.”

She denied that civilians were injured during the shootout.

Over 100 combined team of policemen and soldiers are stationed at the scene.

In recent times, militants have continuously unleash terror on communities around waterways in Ogun and Lagos States.

Recently, over 20 persons were killed in Ishawo, a border town between the two states by suspected militants.

It could be recalled that suspected militants stormed the Macaulay Babington Junior Seminary, Ikorodu and abducted three schoolgirls who they released after collecting ransom.

Also, suspected militants raided a jetty at Ikorodu and abducted an Immigration Officer and one other. They were released after payment of ransom.

The same militants also raided a community in Mowe, Ogun state where five persons were killed after abducting a businessman.

At Ayobo area, a mother and her three children were abducted by militants, but were abandoned after the police engaged them a gun battle that lasted for hours. The militants escaped through the Ayobo rover to Ogun State.

Last month, 20 persons were killed by suspected militants that invaded Imushin, Elepete and Igboolomun communities of Ikorodu. The militants claimed they were after those who were giving out information to security operatives.

On July 10, two suspected militants were nabbed trying to carry out attack on Igando area of the metropolis. Badmos had told journalists that three guns and ammunition were recovered from them.

On July 14, residents of Ikorodu were fleeing their homes for fear of being attacked by militants who stormed the community.

Residents told how the hoodlums unleashed terror on their victims. The militants also stole domestic animal and foodstuffs. Two weeks ago, suspected militants stormed the palace of Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Goriola Oseni, took him away after shooting two persons.

The kidnappers have demanded for N500 million ransom. (Daily Sun)

•Photo shows battle-ready policemen.

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