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Tag: Militants

  • Igbonla kidnap: Militants demand extra N1.5m after getting N15m

    Igbonla kidnap: Militants demand extra N1.5m after getting N15m

    •My wife has been hospitalised six times, man alleges

    ADDITIONAL N15 million ransom has been paid to kidnappers of the six pupils of Lagos State Model College in Igbonla, Epe, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers collected the  cash last week.

    After they collected the ransom, the kidnappers, led by one America, promised to release the pupils last weekend but reneged.

    They were said to have demanded N1.5million as transport fare to return the pupils, a demand that irked negotiators, a source said.

    According to the source, security forces and school authorities were optimistic that the children would be reunited with their families last weekend only for the kidnappers to renege.

    “The kidnappers were paid over N15million last week. If you add that to the N10 million earlier paid by the parents, that’s N25 million. An agreement was reached for them to release the children but at the last minute, the kidnappers reneged.

    “Instead of releasing the boys, they demanded N1.5million claiming that the money was to transport the boys back. That was where they stopped,” the source said.

    Meanwhile, one of the affected parents has appealed to the kidnappers to release the boys and spare him the agony of losing his wife.

    The man, who said his wife has been in and out of the hospital up to six times in the last 50 days, told The Nation that she was discharged two days ago.

    According to him, the woman has been very affected because it was their only child that was kidnapped.

    He said: “I cannot count the number of times I have rushed her to the hospital. She has been very traumatised and her situation is worsened by the continuous detention of our only child.

    “I do not know what to do again. It is 50 days now that the children were kidnapped. I am just begging the kidnappers to free these children and spare my family this agony. My wife was brought back from the hospital two days ago. I am praying that nothing happens to her.”

  • Police arrest suspected militants, foil plot to rob five banks

    Police arrest suspected militants, foil plot to rob five banks

    Attempts by suspected militants to attack several commercial banks in Lagos have been foiled by the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    This is just as four suspected members of the gang of notorious kidnapper, America, and a guard attached to one of the banks were arrested at Ajah and Ikorodu areas of the state.

    The banks targeted, the police said, were Zenith and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Lekki, as well as FCMB, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) and Keystone Bank in Ajah.

    It was gathered that the gang was behind Thursday last week’s abduction of six pupils of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla.

    According to the police, Abiodun Olaroye (Gbeleju), 38, Ebipatgh Tuwei (Segun), 47, Benjamin Powei (Ben), 42, Samuel Chinedu (Hitman), 30, and Samuel Innocent Ikechukwu (IK), 33, were arrested on Tuesday.

    It was gathered that the suspects were picked up following credible intelligence and they confessed that plans had been perfected to attack five banks in the state.

    The police said Tuwei confessed to have participated in the ambush that killed four policemen and an Army Captain.

    Their arrest, the police said, followed days of unrelenting tracking by the IRT.

    The five militants were said to have been sent by America, their leader, from the creek to survey the banks and hire two operational buses that would be used to convey them to and fro the river banks in the course of the attack.

    It was gathered that the banks were marked because of their proximity to river banks.

    “All the suspects arrested confessed to the planned bank robberies and confirmed that they were sent by their boss in the creek, America, to survey the five banks together with the guard who tipped the militants off.

    “They also said America fixed Wednesday June 1, for the attack, but his boys were arrested before then. The suspects are cooperating with detectives in the Investigation. Serious efforts to arrest the gang leader, other members and rescue the school children, the police said, were in progress.

    Tuwei, a suspected member of the deadly gang, however, said he was sleeping in another of the suspects’ house when he heard that the gang, led by America, had shot an Army captain and four policemen in Isawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

    Forty-seven-year-old Segun Tuwei, however, said he did not know that the shot soldier and police officers died until he and other members of the gang heard about it from the news media after an exchange of gunfire the gang had with some securitymen.

    A police source said that following the death of the Army captain and police officers, the Inspector General of Police, Idris Mohammed, immediately directed the officer in charge of his intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), to fish out the members of the gang responsible for the heinous crime.

    They went into action immediately and their effort resulted in the killing of America’s second in command simply addressed as OC.

    A member of the gang named Benjamin was said to have escaped when the IRT operatives arrived his house, but his wife was arrested.

    From his hideout, Benjamin was said to have sent Segun Tuwei, a suspected member of the gang, to the police station to secure his wife’s bail.

    The police was said to have honoured his request for bail, which later helped them to arrest Benjamin.

    The suspects revealed that the gang used to set ablaze any car or bus it used for operation to avoid the vehicles being traced to them.

    They also admitted being in possession of a Land Rover SUV belonging to a member of the gang named Saheed.

    Confessing his role in the gang, Tuwei said: “There is no need to lie. It has happened and it has happened. We are members of the gang that is led by America. He is our gang leader. They killed the captain and the police officers in an exchange of gunfire, but I did not follow him to the operation in which an army captain and four police officers died. That happened at Isawo area of Ikorodu.

    “It was America that always selected the members of the gang that would go for particular operations as they required high level intelligence, smartness, time consciousness and bravery.

    “I was sleeping in Ben’s (Benjamin’s) house when it happened. They operated from Ikorodu to Maridon that night.

    “In the morning, I ran to Ojota. That was where one of our members said they had gone to kill some military and police people at Isawo. They said an army captain was among the soldiers they shot dead. We heard that they killed a Police Inspector also.

    Continuing, Segun said: “I am from Arogbo village, Ondo State. I am married with four children. I was doing Timber Work at Itoko village around Epe Road. The village is after Agbowa town. I live there with members of my family.

    “I don’t follow them to kidnap people. My role is to do surveillance with Abbey and Ben. If we wanted to rob a bank, the three of us would first go and survey the bank. After we had done our surveillance work, America and others would go for the operation, robbing the bank of any money they found there. “Once we had followed the gang up to waterside, America and other members would climb to the bank. “I was arrested in my shop at Itokin where I sell local gin called ogogoro on May 13, 2017, being a Saturday.

    They just called me on the phone. It was the only surveillance I had helped them to do since I joined the gang.” Benjamin on his part also confessed to being a member of America’s deadly robbery gang. He said: “We robbed banks and individuals, but I did not follow them to the operation on that fateful day they killed an army captain and four police officers. It was America and others who exchanged fire with the military and police. America used pump action riffle to kill them. “I am from Biagbini village in Eseodo Local Government Area, Ondo State. I used to do fishing and sand dredging. I am married with four children. “I wanted to marry the second wife but suspended it because I had no enough money, and that was what pushed me into looking for money that way.

    “I met OC when we were doing oil bunkering at Maridu, Abule Oba. The Navy people came and took over Magidun and I moved inside the creek where we were fishing. “One day, Abbey came and told me that there was work. I told America and he said I should follow them to Isawo to kidnap a woman. “I was given N20,000 and Abbey was given N10,000. We kept the woman in Ajegunle creek until we released her. America used to stay at Ore. The woman’s husband paid N3,000 000 before she was released. There used to be six of us in the gang. Four of us used to carry pump action guns and AK 47 rifles. “From the second operation, I got N100,000. America is our leader and he carries pump action rifle.

    It was Abbey who brought the job. He was given N80,000 to survey the place before she was kidnapped. We used to feed her with garri, noodles, bread and egusi soup. “America employed a cook. It is the victim that dictates what he or she wants to eat or drink. We treat victims like kings and queens. “The second operation, which was bank robbery, failed and it led to our arrest. They first arrested Abbey and he deceived me on the phone. I called America and he said he had sent Samuel to go and show us where the bank is.” In his own confession, Olaroye said he was a native of Okitipupa in Ondo State. He said: “I am single. I was in Apapa, Lagos selling tokunbo (fairly used) fridge before I joined the gang. I live in Abutoyo Ikorodu. I have been in this business since 2005.

    “I was arrested on the May 13 while coming back from Ajah. We went to check the bank on May 12. My work is to carry out a surveillance on people to be kidnapped or banks to be robbed. We kidnapped the wife of a naval officer who seized our fuel. They paid N3.4 million ransom and I got N80, 000.” Another member, Chinedu, said: “I am from Apoma after Umunede, Delta State. I was doing poultry work in Ekpoma. “When I came to Lagos, I had nothing doing. I met one Phillip who asked me to follow him to Marobo to do fishing. But instead of teaching me how to fish, he taught me how to rob and kidnap people.

    “There, he told me that America was their leader. America gave me N14,000 to go to Lagos to meet Ben. He said Ben would take me to a bank where he would deposit N5,000. That was how I followed them for bank robbery. I am married with two children.” Ikechukwu said: “I am from Ikumano Local Government Area, Abia State, and I am married with a child. “I do security work in Tana Security Company at Lake side, Ibeju Lekki. It was Abbey that lured me to join the gang. My role is to show them the bank to rob. I showed them First Bank and Zenith”.

  • Boko Haram twin suicide bombings kill four in Cameroon

    Boko Haram twin suicide bombings kill four in Cameroon

    A double suicide bombing killed at least nine people and wounded 30 others Friday  at a camp housing Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram militants in northern Cameroon.

    Local government officials said the twin blasts that tore through the camp in the town of Kolofata at about 6 a.m. local time.

    “It was unbearable. People were screaming. Others were moaning. It was total horror,” said a policeman present at the scene of the bombing.

    Northern Cameroon has in recent years suffered from the overflow of violence linked to  Boko Haram insurgents.

    Nigerian refugees have flooded across the border and local residents have been forced to flee their homes.

    Boko Haram launches frequent cross-border raids in a bid to carve out an Islamic caliphate.

    Its eight-year insurgency has killed more than 15,000 and displaced two million people in the Lake Chad region.

    Villages and towns in the area have regularly been targeted by suicide bombers.

    A similar attack in Kolofata killed nine people in September 2015.

    Thousands of troops have been deployed to the area in a bid to stem the violence.

  • Police arrest five suspected militants, foil plots to rob banks

    Police arrest five suspected militants, foil plots to rob banks

    Attempts by suspected militants to attack several commercial banks in Lagos have been foiled by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    This is just as four suspected members of notorious kidnapper, America’s gang and a guard attached to one of the banks have been arrested at the Ajah and Ikorodu areas of the state.

    The banks targeted, the police said were Zenith and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Lekki, as well as FCMB, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) and Keystone Banks in Ajah.

    It was gathered that the gang was behind last Thursday’s kidnap of six pupils of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla.

    According to the police, Abiodun Olaroye (Gbeleju), 38, Ebipatgh Tuwei (Segun), 47, Benjamin Powei  (Ben), 42, Samuel Chinedu (Hitman), 30, and Samuel Innocent Ikechukwu (IK), 33, were arrested on May 30.

    While Olaroye, a native of Ode Kreme village, Tuwei and Powei of Arogbo, Ondo State, Chinedu was said to be an indigene of Delta State and Ikechukwu, the guard, was said to be from Abia.It was gathered that the suspects were picked up following credible intelligence and they confessed that plans have been perfected by the gang to attack five banks in the state.

    The police said Puwei confessed to have participated in the ambush that killed four policemen and an Army Captain. Their arrest, the police said, followed days of unrelenting tracking by the IRT.

    The four militants were said to have been sent by America from the creek to survey the banks and hire two operational buses that would be used to convey the criminals to and fro the river banks in the course of the attack.

    It was gathered that the banks were marked because of their proximity to river banks.” All suspects arrested confessed to the planned bank robberies and confirmed that they were sent by their boss in the creek, America, to survey the five banks together with the guard who tipped the militants off. ”

    They also said America fixed Wednesday June 1, for the attack, but his boys were arrested before then. The suspects are cooperating with detectives in the Investigation. Serious efforts to arrest the gang leader, other members and rescue the school children in progress

     

  • Gunmen kidnap six Igbonla College pupils

    Gunmen kidnap six Igbonla College pupils

    Gunmen suspected to be militants Thursday kidnapped six pupils at Government Model College, Igbonla, Epe, a Lagos hinterland.

    The children were whisked away barely one week after the kidnappers wrote the school to notify the management they would strike.

    Thursday’s kidnap was the second in the school since October, where four pupils and two teachers were taken into the Abeokuta forest through Epe lake by the militants.

    It was gathered that the gunmen were clad in police uniforms and some of them were hooded.

    According to sources, the militant have maintained visible presence in Epe for over two weeks.

    TRENDING: Teachers to earn higher salaries than other workers – FG

    Residents said for about three days, they have suffered continuous strikes from the gunmen, adding that two people including a poultry farmer, who notified soldiers of their activities, have been killed.

    They were said to have been patrolling the waterways and even challenged security operatives to a gun duel in a bit to distract them and waste their ammunition.

    However, the operatives, residents said did not give to the militants display and successfully foiled their plot to kidnap some students on Wednesday.

    Undeterred, the gunmen said to be clad in black attires and hooded stormed the school again around 6am, and took away 10 students from senior school.

    They were said to have profiled the students on their way out and eventually released four of them, who said their patents were farmers, poor, late or phone numbers unknown.

    After letting the four children go, the gunmen took the other six including four in SS1 and two in SS2.

    Some of the students who spoke with The Nation said there were torrents of bullets on their hostel roofs since Wednesday night.

    They said the kidnappers have been attempting to enter but were always kept at bay by policemen, who engaged them in gun battle.

    At the school Thursday, angry parents protested the restriction of their wards to the hostels, insisting they must be taken home.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers attempted to gain entrance into the school premises through the rear-fence after firing shots to scare the students but were intercepted by policemen on guard.

    The parents, who frowned at the school’s inability to provide adequate security, said they would not return their wards unless their demands were met.

    RELATED: Gunmen abduct six pupils in Lagos

     

    According to the parents, they had asked the school to clear the bushes, erect a formidable fence, put a police post by the creek and also station an armoured tank there, but none was done.

    They lamented that the school’s fence was weak, adding that the gunmen were able to break the wall with a log because of the feebleness of the walls.

    Mrs. Riskat Odunukan, whose son was released after he told them his father was a farmer said she thought it was a dream.

    She said: “I have two children in the school. They took one of them but after questioning them, he told them his father was late and his mother a farmer. So, they left him. I received a call from another parent about the incident. The school did not tell us anything. We called them and they said they were in control.

    “The kidnappers broke the fence. They used a log to create a passage. It is because the fence is weak that is why it was possible for them to break in. Go through the school and you would find bushes. The security is porous.

    “The last time I came into the school, security men were just two and they are usually at the gate. They don’t patrol. We told the school to provide adequate security the last time the incident happened but they didn’t listen. We need armoured tank stationed by the creek, a police station. They need to demolish the whole fence and erect a stronger and very high one. They are supposed to have CCTV cameras everywhere in this premises but they don’t.”

    A parent whose son was kidnapped was lamenting that they boy be provided. The devastated father said the school management had promised the children would be released, adding that they were told to inform the school whenever the kidnappers contacted them.

    He said: “I came to the school to take my son away. He’s the only one I have in the school. They pacified us to relax that they would be released. But when? A child is not a goat that one can just live like that. I was called by another parent while I was at my shop.”

    Mrs. Amirat Alamorieda said the kidnappers took the students away when the soldiers guiding the school just left.

    She said: “They took 10 of the children but released four after questioning them. They came when the soldiers guiding the school had left. It was around 6am. And it seems they targeted when the security personnel would leave. The kidnappers knew their timing.

    “The school should release our children for us. We are not saying we won’t return them but we want permanent security.  When they secure the place, we would return our kids.”

    Efforts to get the school authorities to comment failed, as officials said there was directive from the state government that no one should speak to reporters on the issue.

    The Permanent Secretary Education, who was at the scene, also declined comment.

  • Amnesty programme’s budget increased by N35bn

    Amnesty programme’s budget increased by N35bn

    To sustain the new understanding between the Federal Government and the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the Federal Government has released additional N35B to step-up the Amnesty Programme in the region.
    This was disclosed in a press statement by Special Assistant Media to the Vice President, Laolu Akande.
    Although N20B allocation had been approved for the Amnesty Programme in the 2016 budget, President Muhammadu Buhari has now raised the funds, and as appropriated, to N55B with a recent release of additional N30B. There is also a planned release of another N5B later.
    Currently, the Amnesty Office has now paid up all ex-militants backlog of their stipends up to the end of 2016.
    The release of the additional funds is coming after presidential level interactive engagements in the Niger Delta, where the Buhari administration has enunciated a New Vision for the oil-producing areas based on the presentation made by the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, to the President when he received leaders and stakeholders from the region last November.
    Subsequently, the President asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to embark on a tour of the region that saw him visiting several oil-producing States in the country.
    Besides the monthly payment of about N65, 000 to N66,000 to the ex-militants, the funds would also go to the provision of reintegration activities under the Amnesty Programme including payment of tuition fees for beneficiaries from Niger Delta who are in post-secondary institutions at home and abroad, payment of in-training & hazard allowances and vocational training costs.
    There are also empowerment schemes and self-help, self-employment support funds, including provision of needed equipments by the Amnesty Office. Equally, the funds would also support the training of pilots, aviation engineers, technicians, and motor vehicles mechanics from the oil-producing communities.
    The Buhari administration reassured the Niger Delta communities of its unalloyed commitment to a faithful implementation of its promises made during the FG interactive engagement visits by the Vice President to different oil-producing communities
    Other promises made during the visits are currently at different stages of effective implementation, including the effective opening of the Maritime University, integration of illegal refiners under the concept of new Modular Refineries, resumption of all abandoned construction projects in the region, the Ogoni Clean-up, and several others.
    For instance the Maritime University is now on course to be opened before the end of the year as the presidency has already set the process in motion as announced on Friday. Other announcements are to follow as each of the commitments of the FG to the Niger Delta oil-producing communities reach advanced and implementation stages.
    Already there is an inter-ministerial group consisting of all relevant ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs of the FG, with the involvement of relevant State governments led by the Vice President that meets regularly to drive the different initiatives and ensure effective and ongoing implementation.

  • Police arrest suspected militants, vandals

    Police arrest suspected militants, vandals

    SIX more persons have been arrested in connection with the April 9 killing of 12 persons including four policemen and a soldier, at Ishawo, Ikorodu.
    Tochukwu Ohanezim, 38, Fatai Karounwi alias Kokoro, 32, Akeju Adeniyi alias Tablet, 38, OyebanjiAgboola alias Fish, 45 and Innocent Ikechukwu, 42, were arrested at Ogijo by Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) operatives, it was learnt yesterday. Their arrest followed information received by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II Abdulmajid Ali that the militants were noticed in the axis.
    The team recovered two pump action rifles, four live cartridges, two pumping machines, one Army bullet proof, an army cap and a Toyota Corolla car from the suspect.
    Yesterday, the police apprehended four suspected vandals with 150 kegs of petroleum products.
    According to the zonal spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), MumbaiuAfolabi, 29, Musa Akanbi, 32, Yusuf Ajiboye, 26, and Ojo Ige, 28.

  • Militants threaten attacks over ‘failed’ promises

    A coalition of militant groups in the Niger Delta region yesterday threatened to resume attacks on oil installations over what they called unfulfilled promises by the Federal Government to the residents.

    In a statement yesterday, the militant groups, under the aegis of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, accused the Federal Government of insincerity to resolve the region’s crisis.

    The statement was signed by the leader of Niger Delta Watchdog, “General” John Duku as well as “General” Ekpo Ekpo of the Niger Delta Volunteers; “Commander” Henry Okon Etete of the Niger Delta Peoples Fighter and “Commander” Asuquo Henshaw of the Bakassi Freedom Fighters.

    Duku, who also signed as the leader of the coalition, recalled that nothing had happened since the Pan-Niger Delta Elders’ Forum (PNDEF) met with the President in November, last year.

    The militant leader said PANDEF convinced the militants to sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue.

    He urged the Federal Government to act immediately and show commitment to the plight of Niger Delta or force the agitators to resume attacks.

    The statement said: “We must make sure we liberate our people from the slavery of the Nigerian state. We believe the Federal Government would not be surprised to see another crisis in the Niger Delta and it should not blame anyone if such happens.

    “The Federal Government, under President Muhammadu Buhari, is not sincere in resolving the Niger Delta crisis.”39

     

  • Militants kill eight in Lagos

    Militants kill eight in Lagos

    •Govt to go after killers

    Eight persons were killed yesterday in a Lagos community where gunmen suspected to be militants and hoodlums struck. Many were injured.

    In the militants’ raid on Ishawo, a settlement on the outskirts of Ikorodu, four policemen, a soldier and one civilian were reportedly killed.

    Besides, two persons were killed in attacks by suspected cult members on Otodo Gbame community in Lekki.

    The militants reportedly ambushed the policemen attached to Owutu Division on their way back from a field operation.

    It was learnt that the security operatives had gone to rescue four civilians kidnapped by the gunmen and were being forced into the creeks.

    After rescuing the victims, the team was said to have boarded their Hilux patrol van and headed back to the station.

    But around Woodland Estate, the militants opened fire on the operatives from their hideout.

    Another account stated that the security agents got a distress call that the militants had entered the community and killed a police informant, whom they accused of providing information that led to the death of one of their kingpins.

    Upon receiving the information, operatives from Owotu Division and some soldiers in the area moved into Ishawo.

    The militants, who appeared to have laid ambush for them, attacked them.

    They allegedly set ablaze the patrol van, injuring the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and policeman.

    The gunmen, it was learnt, killed two civilians and shot dead the two soldiers, including a Captain identified simply as Mohammed, who was said to have alighted from an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

    The APC, it was gathered, was riddled with bullets fired by the gunmen who fled into the creeks.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Commander Tunji Disu and some senior Army officers visited the scene and assisted in taking the injured to the hospital.

    A security source said the militants may have tricked their victims, given that a distress call was received by the police that militants had entered the community.

    According to the source, going by the way the agents were killed, “there’s a possibility that the criminals raised a false alarm and prepared themselves to kill those who would be sent”.

    The source said: “This looks more like a deception plan. There’s no way militants would ambush security operatives and kill that large number. I want to believe that they had planned the movement.

    “They could be the ones who even made the false distress call and gave descriptions that would land the operatives exactly where they wanted them. The militants knew the agents didn’t have air cover; so, they deceived and ambushed them. It’s a sad incident.”

    The Chairman of Operation AWATSE and Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, said security agencies were reviewing the incident.

    Rear Admiral Bobai, who confirmed that there were casualties, directed our reporter to contact the police for details and assured that the perpetrators would be fished out and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.

    According to him, dislodged militants were returning to the area following the resumption of petrol pumping in the 72-kilometer track by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

    In a statement issued yesterday evening, Owoseni said the incident occurred around 1am. He vowed to hunt down the culprits.

    The police commissioner said: “At about 1am on Sunday, the police received distress call that a group of militants/kidnappers had entered Owutu-Isawo in Ikorodu through the thick swampy forest surrounding the area.

    “They were reported to have kidnapped some residents. In response, the police and the Army immediately mobilised personnel to the area, where the kidnapped victims were rescued.

    “Sadly, however, five of the gallant, brave and patriotic officers lost their lives during the rescue operation. One of them is a Nigerian Army Captain while the remaining four are policemen. One of the residents in the area also died.

    “We pray that God Almighty reward their loyalty to the nation with paradise and grant their souls peaceful rest. We also pray that God gives their respective families the courage to bear the loss.

    “The command would like to assure the public that with synergy from sister security agencies, the criminal elements involved in this dastardly act shall be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law. We will continue to rely on the good people of Lagos State for useful information and partnership.”

    In the attack on Otodo Gbame, Avonda Elijah, 50, and 28-year-old Hungbo Daniel were shot by hoodlums who laid a siege to the community.

    The community had been embroiled in a land tussle with its neighbouring Ikate community and the state government.

    Officials of the Lagos Task Force, the police and other military personnel yesterday besieged the community around 12am, burning and destroying houses, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

    The community was on fire when The Nation visited yesterday.

    Task Force spokesman Taofeek Adebayo declined to comment on the operation, saying “it was a state operation”.

    According to him, only the Information and Strategy Commissioner Steve Ayorinde, could speak on the matter.

    A resident who simply identified himself as Jonathan, said: “Hoodlums just came into the community and started shooting for about 30 minutes and left. They came around 9:30pm and the first shooting killed the man. He was at the water-front where they sell sand. We don’t just know what the fight is about.

    “The police came today and started burning people’s houses, chasing them out of the community. There was no notification of the invasion. Even right now, we are still at the court. We were at court last Thursday but they didn’t appear. So, the judge postponed it till next Thursday.”

    Another resident, who gave his name as Felix, said: “They came here this morning and started destroying our houses. They levelled our buildings with caterpillar. I was sleeping in my compound when they started breaking our neighbour’s houses. I became afraid when I saw that they were breaking into compounds too. I had to run off with my family. I have no place to go.”

  • Militants kill five policemen, two soldiers in Lagos

    Militants kill five policemen, two soldiers in Lagos

    No fewer than five policemen and two soldiers, including an army captain were killed by suspected militants early Sunday morning in Ikorodu Area of Lagos.

    Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bodies of the victims had been removed.

    The slain Captain was simply identified as Muhammad. There has been no official confirmation of the killings yet.

    NAN gathered that the existing presence of the Joint Task Force called Operation Awatse did not deter the militants from operating in the area they were driven away from about a year ago by members of the same task force.

    NAN also gathered that the militants had struck at Woodland Estate close to Ishawo Creeks and engaged the security personnel, soldiers and the police, in a gun duel.

    “At the end of the gun duel, five policemen and two soldiers were reportedly gunned down by the militants,” the source told NAN.

    It was unclear if there were any casualties on the part of the militants, although security forces were said to have reinforced and stormed the area for reconnaissance and possible counter-action.

    When contacted, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP. Olarinde Famous-Cole, said he was still gathering information on the matter adding that a statement would soon be issued.

    Also, the spokesperson of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olaolu Daudu said that a statement would be released on the incident later.

    NAN recalled that, on March 13, 2017, it reported the return of the militants to the area.

    Residents said they lived in palpable fear.

    The militants, whose stocks in trade are kidnapping and oil theft, were chased out of the area in Aug. 2016 by the Task Force, after several bloody clashes in the community.

    Scores of people were killed during the clashes between militants and residents of Isawo community before the joint military task force was deployed in the area.

    Famous-Cole told NAN in March that the command was re-strategising the security arrangements in the state, including Ikorodu area.

    He said more police patrol teams would be deployed in the area, and urged residents to provide useful information on the activities of the hoodlums.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Fergusson Bobai, told NAN: “I don’t have any report yet to suggest that militants are back in those areas.

    “But Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the return of swamp buggies to open up the creeks in those areas to enable the security forces carry out in-depth patrols.

    The swamp buggy is a motor vehicle used to traverse swampy terrain.

    Buggies are able to move about on dry land, shallow mud, sand, shallow water and deep mud.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, on Aug. 4, 2016 visited Isawo creeks and was briefed about the activities of the militants.