The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ishawo

  • Why kidnapping persists in Arepo, Ishawo, others

    Why kidnapping persists in Arepo, Ishawo, others

    The police on Thursday confirmed the rescue of Mrs. A. Odumosu, one of the wives of retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Hakeem Odumosu, who was kidnapped by masked gunmen on January 16.

    Mrs. Odumosu, the police said, was rescued around 6:45 am, at a creek in Ikorodu, adding that two of her kidnappers were killed in battle while the N10 million paid as ransom was recovered.

    The woman was whisked away by the gunmen from her Aminu Street, Orange Estate residence at Arepo around 9:55 pm as she was about to drive into her compound in a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    Her kidnappers, who exhibited mastery of the terrain, took her through the creeks into the Ishawo/Ikorodu forest, an area that has remained a haven for armed militants and bandits.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers earlier demanded N40 million ransom but the amount was later negotiated downward and an amount paid as bait while detectives from Ogun State Police Command in collaboration with Intelligence and Technical experts from the Force Headquarters decoded their possible location.

    Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi who confirmed her rescue in a statement, noted that the criminals were planning their next operation when operatives stormed their location inside the creek, adding that four Ak-47 rifles, three locally made single barrel rifles and ammunition of various calibers were also recovered.

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    Kidnapping at Arepo, Ibafo, Warewa, Fatola, Elepete, Ishawo, Ijede, Ijedodo, Epe, and environs had continued unabated for years no thanks to the difficulty in navigating the swampy terrains.

    The above fact, coupled with the lack of swamp buggies to frequently pull down those mangroves to open up the creeks, as well as the easy access these criminals have to navigate the shallow waters into different communities without being chased by security operatives were also contributory factors.

    Also, the fact that these communities play host to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) Systems 2B pipelines, made them a beehive of militants whose stock-in-trade was pipeline vandalism until they found kidnapping to be lucrative following the shutdown of the flow station in 2015.

    Until their venture into senseless kidnappings, raping, and killing of innocent populace, the militants inhabited a world of their own.

    They hoisted flags and dug boreholes with links to underground NNPC pipelines located kilometres away from where they raked in millions of naira daily.

    The eventual suspension of the System 2B pipeline operation denied the criminals access to the oil millions, hence their resort to terrorising the residents, decimating their livestock, raiding shops, raping women and children, stealing money, kidnapping for ransom, and murdering some of the landlords in cold blood.

    Aside from Mrs. Odumosu, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) member in Warewa was also kidnapped last year while she was returning from service. There was also the case of the Isheri landlords- Kennedy Ucheagwu, Dr Omololu Bello, Fidelis Esan,g and trainer Olalere Olawale who were kidnapped from their estate in 2016.

    Four junior secondary students of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla in Epe, Abu, Emmanuel Okonkwo, Jeremiah Rut,h and Isaac Adebisi as well as their Vice Principal, A.O. Oyesola, English teacher, Lukman Oyerinde, three women and a six-month-old baby, Toyosi Aboderin, Ogechi Maku, Toju Amorighoye and Funniyi Tayo Lawal (baby), were all abducted at Epe.

    At Agbowa, Ikorodu, Alhaji Oyebanji Wasiu, Alhaji Isiaka Owolabi and Abiodun Adeniyi, all farmers, were kidnapped and their abductors, who collected N22 million ransom, killed Adeniyi afterwards.

    An RCCG pastor, Kayode Bajomo, the Iba monarch, Oba Goriola Oseni, several landlords at Iba Housing Estate and three female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS)-Funmi Ogunmefun, Oluwatimileyin Olusa and Deborah Akinayo, were also kidnapped by these gunmen whose enclave was in the creeks bordering Arepo/Ishawo/Epe and environs.

    There were also security operatives including five policemen, nine operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and unspecified number of naval personnel who fell victims to these criminals.

    Most of the security operatives, The Nation gathered, were killed and buried in shallow graves. However, no one has been able to confirm the locations of the graves nor have their bodies been returned to their families for proper burial.

    Although these murderous gangs were initially suspected to be militants who fled the military onslaught from the oil-producing Niger Delta regions, revelations from some of the kidnapped victims who regained freedom showed that most of the gunmen were fleeing terrorists from the north discussed as herders.

    Alluding to this fact on his X account while replying to a follower who urged the police to ensure the fleeing culprits were apprehended, Adejobi wrote: “We will. It’s not easy to navigate the swampy area/creeks. However, we have taken some steps in that regard. The men who carried out the rescue operation did well…”

  • Ishawo: Ambode gives N50m to slain security agents’ families

    Ishawo: Ambode gives N50m to slain security agents’ families

    •Injured policeman gets N5m

    LAGOS State Governor Akinwumi Ambode yesterday donated N50 million to the families of four policemen and an army captain killed in Ishawo, Ikorodu, on April 9.

    The families got N10million each. The family of Sergeant Alexander Ugadu, who is recuperating in hospital, got N5 million.

    Inspectors Godwin Iroagbalahi and Francis Pemi as well as Sergeants Mamuda Dembo and Idor Ekoro and Captain A. Mohammed were killed after they rescued some kidnap victims.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Habib Aruna, said Ambode made the donations through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tunji Bello.

    He said the gesture was in appreciation of the officers’ supreme sacrifices in the line of duty. The donation the SSG said was in line with the governor’s pledge to review security operatives’ insurance benefits in the state.

    The statement said: “This is to appreciate what the gallant officers have done; they sacrificed their lives in the course of protecting several of us and we have to appreciate them. As a matter of fact, if we don’t do this, who will? The governor has always said that we must continue to appreciate those who paid the supreme sacrifice for our lives because they died for us.

    “We must continue to appreciate them because if we don’t do this, who will be ready to pay the supreme sacrifice for our safety? The officers were sent out to protect us and when they went, they were not sure of coming back and having paid the supreme sacrifice, should we leave them just like that? Definitely no.  It is in appreciation of what they have done that we are doing this.”

    Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni praised Ambode and the government for the donations, which he described as a morale booster. He said the gesture would go a long way in motivating officers.

    Owoseni said: “On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), I stand to appreciate Lagos State Government for this morale boosting gesture that you have shown our colleagues who, in the course of discharging their statutory duties to this nation, demonstrated bravery, gallantry and courage but unfortunately lost their lives in an encounter with criminal elements.

    “The IGP appreciates this kind gesture and on behalf of the respective families of the officers that lost their lives, in as much as we know that money will not bring them back, but you have given us that confidence that in our trial and sadness period, the state is standing solidly behind us. This will spur us to be more committed to the security of the state.”

    Earlier, Ambode, on behalf of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) presented 20 brand new operational vehicles with modern communication gadgets to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

    LSSTF Executive Secretary Dr. Abdulrazaq Balogun said the donation was in furtherance of the government’s commitment to bequeath robust security architecture to residents. He said the government would soon donate another round of vehicles to other security agencies in the state.

  • JTF kills militants’ kingpin in Ondo

    JTF kills militants’ kingpin in Ondo

    …One soldier killed, three injured

     

    Soldiers attached to Operation Delta Safe, a Joint TaskForce (JTF) at the wee hours of Monday killed a suspected leader of the militant group terrorising Ishawo and neighbouring creeks.

    The suspect identified as Ossy Ibori was gunned down around 3am, at Ajakpa in Ondo State, when he led his gang in an attack of military men deployed to safeguard the area.

    It was gathered that a soldier was killed and three others injured in the operation.

    However, the security forces retaliated and in the process, Ibori was killed, while other members of his gang jumped into the river.

    According to sources, the troop recovered weapons from the fleeing criminals.

    Another account stated that the notorious Ossy (Ibori) was lured out of Ishawo creek to Ajakpa wirh the help of his lover, where the soldiers eventually trailed him to.

    Ossy, said to have been the kingpin and among the masterminds of high profile murders and kidnappings within Lagos and Ogun, allegedly opened fire upon sighting military men.

    Confirming his death, Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said efforts were on to apprehend other members of his gang.

    Owoseni noted that most of the militants, who fled Lagos creeks as a result of ongoing operations, retreated to Ondo, their base.

    Owoseni said: “Around 3am today (Monday), a squad of soldiers posted to dislodge the militants that have been wrecking havoc in some parts of Lagos engaged the criminals in a shootout at Ajakpa. During which the suspected leader of the gang known as OC was killed. Efforts is ongoing to arrest other gang members”

    Contacted, the spokesman for the JTF, Major Abubakar Abdullahi confirmed the incident.

    He said: “Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in line with its mandate to rid Niger Delta of all criminal acts of militancy and kidnappings in a special operation repelled an attack on troops location around Ajakpa community in the creeks of Southern Ondo State last night.

    “The attack was led by one notorious gang leader, Ossy Ibori with a hideout at Ajakpa, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The leader was gunned down during the gun duel, along with some of his gang members. His body was identified by some of the locals in the area.

    “While search for other criminals who jumped into the water with gunshot wounds is ongoing, troops had recovered one AK-47 rifle and four Magazines.

    “Criminal gangs led by late Ossy Ibori have been terrorising parts of Lagos,Ogun and Ondo states prior to this operation. They committed many atrocities threatening the peace and  security of the general areas.

    “Last month, the gang killed an army captain and four Policemen at Ikorodu. Also late last year, abducted students and staff of a secondary school. The criminals in addition, carried out several attacks at Ese-Odo community around Ajakpa,Safarogbo and Balowo areas.

    “The need to flush them out from their hudeout became necessary to ensure peace and security in Ondo state. Sadly in the process, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while three others sustained gunshot wounds. They have since been moved to military hospital for proper medical attention.

    “While the operation is ongoing, let me appeal to law abiding residents of the affected communities to remain calm, vigilant and support our troops with valuable information on whereabouts of other criminals.”

     

  • Ishawo: Police honour slained, injured cops

    The four policemen killed by militants at Ishawo in Ikorodu, a Lagos district, Tuesday received posthumous commendation from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    Also rewarded at the event held at the Lagos Police Command were cops who sustained injuries during the operation to rescue residents from militants’ invasion on April 9.

    Handing over cash rewards and posthumous commendation letters to the widows of the officers, Idris, who was represented by the state Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said the gesture was to demonstrate the force’ appreciation for their gallantry.

    He said the police also wanted to encourage other cops and make them realise they were not alone in peace and trouble times.

    Owoseni gave the names of the murdered cops as Inspectors Godwin Iruagbalachi and Francis Pemi, as well as Sergeants Mammudu Dembo and Idor Ekoro, assuring their widows they did not die in vain.

    He said: “The men were responding to distress call to save lives when they were shot dead. We should learn how to appreciate sacrifice of our men. That is what we have done today, not that the token can bring them back again. We should pray that God will grant them eternal rest in paradise.”

  • 13 held as police demolish criminals’ ‘hideouts’ in Ishawo

    13 held as police demolish criminals’ ‘hideouts’ in Ishawo

    THIRTEEN persons have been arrested over the April 9 Ishawo attack in which 12 persons, including a soldier and four policemen, were killed.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni made this known yesterday, just as the demolition of illegal structures around Ishawo creek said to belong to militants, began.

    Owoseni, who supervised the demolition, said the suspects, believed to be militants, were helping the police to track down others.

    The suspects, he said, had assisted the police with pictorial and other means of identification of the policemen’s killers, adding that with those details, the command would not engage in ‘’wild catching’’.

    According to Owoseni, the demolition of the illegal structures is part of measures to flush out militants and other criminals.

    The police, he said, deployed operatives of the Marine, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mobile Force (PMF), anti-kidnapping units and local vigilantes for the operation.

    Owoseni said the joint operation ordered by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode following the killings was yielding results, adding that the perpetrators would be hunted.

    He said: “Following the attack that occurred at Ishawo where we lost four of our policemen and an army Captain, we have deployed operatives in the water. What you have seen now is for us to appraise what we have been doing for the past one week.

    “Quality arrests have been made and we are talking to them. We believe that we got some evidential value from the arrests made. So, they are talking to us, at least that has made us to know who we are looking for so that we would not wild catch.”

    Owoseni, accompanied by Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Commander Tunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the hoodlums would not sleep because they have murdered sleep.

    He said: “Earlier this morning, they were able to get to the proper camps of these criminal elements, where some of them who were cooking fled immediately they saw security forces. We just felt that we should destroy the camps.

    “The destruction is ongoing, that is why we are here and the officers that are handling the destruction of the camps are right inside the creeks. They would share the story as they finish the operations, but our movement here is just for you to see the terrain and see what the security operatives are facing with regards to policing this environment and that is why we are clamouring for the destruction of these shanties. We will make sure that all of them (the hoodlums) are routed and that they face the full wrath of the law.

    “We are making progress with investigation and you can see that helicopter surveillance is also supporting all what we are doing. We want to assure the residents that the government is ready, security agents are ready to ensure that this madness is stopped.’’

    Owoseni added: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the civilian men that have decided to join us and take us to navigate the water and also give us a lead to the centre of activities, which is the creek where these criminal elements have been hibernating.”

  • Police arrest 13 suspects, demolish ‘criminal’ hideouts in Lagos

    The police in Lagos on Wednesday arrested at least 13 suspected militants in connection with the killings of security operatives at Ishawo.

    This came just as the police commenced demolition of illegal structures around the Ishawo creek, suspecting to be owned by militants.

    The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, who spoke to journalists while supervising the demolition, said the suspects were assisting the command to track down their cohorts.

    According to Owoseni, the demolition of illegal structures at waterfronts was part of measures to flush out militants and other criminal elements in the state.

    The police, he said, deployed operatives of the Marine, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Police Mobile Force (PMF), anti-kidnapping units and local vigilantes for the operation.

    Owoseni said the joint operation ordered by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode following the death of security operatives was yielding results, adding that the perpetrators would be hunted.

    He said: “Following the attack that occurred at Ishawo where we lost four of our policemen and an army captain, we have deployed operatives in the water. What you have seen now is for us to appraise what we have been doing for the past one week.

    “Quality arrests have been made and we are talking to them. We believe that we got some evidential value from the arrests made. So, they are talking to us, at least that had made us to know who we are looking for so that we would not speculate.”

    Owoseni, who was accompanied to Ishawo by Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Tunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the visit was to appraise the work done so far and the next line of action.

  • Akiolu to Fed Govt: build barracks at Ishawo

    Akiolu to Fed Govt: build barracks at Ishawo

    Lagos paramount ruler, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, has urged the Federal Government to establish a Police Mobile Force (PMF) and military barracks at Ishawo in Ikorodu and other militant-infested riverine communities in Lagos State.
    Akiolu spoke yesterday when the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) incharge of ICT, Foluso Adebanjo, visited his palace at Iga-Iduganran in Isale-Eko, Lagos Island.
    Supporting the current demolish of shanties by the state government, Akiolu said a PMF and military barracks be established at waterfronts to forestall criminalities.
    He said: “As I sit here, I get intelligence report from across the country. So, tell the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to liaise with other security agencies to establish a mobile base and military base at the Ishawo, Ikorodu axis. And all those shanties in riverine areas around Lagos State should be demolished.
    “Let the full arm of the law be extended to anyone arrested for a crime. Anyone who comes to you and says I asked that someone be released is lying. Tell them the Oba of Lagos is a disciplinarian; I do not condone criminality. Even if it’s my son that’s arrested for committing a crime, he should be arrested and dealt with, as the law prescribes.
    “I have told the government on several occasions to give the police their dues, and they will perform. The crop of officers you are training in all training institutions now; the conditions in which they are doing the trainings are nothing to write home about. “I know what the IGP is experiencing. It didn’t start with him. Any day the government is prepared to have efficient policing, it should give, not only the police but all other security agencies, the logistics required to do the job.
    “Nigerians too must cooperate fully. Security is the responsibility of all Nigerians. The public must assist with useful information.”
    “The Lagos State government is spending huge amount of money on security. The recently introduced Neighbourhood Watch is to complement the police; it is not to rival the police. We are here to monitor them, to ensure that doesn’t happen. Nigerians should be able to acknowledge and appreciate the police for the good job they do.”