Pandemonium as Niger Delta militants invade Lagos community

There was pandemonium yesterday at Ewedogbon area of Totowu, a riverine community in Ishuti, Igando, old Alimosho Local Government Area, which was engulfed in a fresh attack by suspected Niger Delta militants. police Multiple sources said many people were killed as the militants entered into people’s houses to torment them. 

However, the casualty figure could not be ascertained at the time of this report. Residents of the community said the militants came very early and in large numbers wielding guns and other dangerous weapons.

A resident who did not want his name mentioned said the militants stormed the area and started killing people. He sent through a WhatsApp message that; “Please help us call emergency lines right now, Ewedogbo area of Igando, LASU Road is a theatre of war, Niger Delta militants are killing people right now, no one can call or go out, I am an eye witness, please, help us spread the information.”

The message was reportedly sent around 7am. He said no one could come out of their houses as the gunmen occupied the streets breaking into people’s houses at will. It was learnt that some policemen who had stormed the area at the time the militants wreaked havoc, ran back to mobilise.

Police sources also said the police had mobilised and had taken back the community from the militants as armoured personnel carrier had been stationed in the area. Dolapo Badmos, Lagos police spokesperson said the police were aware of the invasion and had deployed large numbers of policemen to the area to protect lives and properties. 

A member of the military team involved in yesterday’s operation to free the area, who preferred anonymity for security reasons, confirmed the attack, saying the militants came through one of the river terminal at about 7 am. 

The gun battle was said to have lasted several hours. According to an eyewitness, Adebisi Ojo, a resident; “The Niger Delta militants stormed Ewedogbon inside towards the water side. They have been there since 7 am this morning shooting sporadically.

They kidnapped two people. The other woman kidnapped three days ago was released because they found out that she is a pepper seller. “This is to inform all members of our communities that people should stay away from passing Ewedoghon/Adexon because of the ongoing shooting by the militants in the area,” he said.

The joint security outfit reportedly exchanged series of gunshots with the militants to repel them from advancing around Obadore/Iba water way community. According to another eyewitness, the battle was fierce around Fatoki area with bullet holes in buildings and properties. The residents in the swampy areas were seen running for their lives as the area came under heavy gun fire.

Some youths in the area were said to have carried weapons in case the militants came close. Men from Area “M’ Police command, Idimu and Igando headquarters reportedly had a hectic time battling the militants. Lagos and neighbouring Ogun State have suddenly become hotbeds of kidnapping and militancy. On different occasions, militants have attacked communities in Ikorodu and Igando and some riverine Ogun communities.
Source:Vanguard