Gunmen Attack Lagos Community, Kidnap Seven

Kidnappers in military uniform at the weekend reportedly abducted seven at the Kodjo Farm, Igbodu, Epe area of Lagos State. The victims, The Guardian gathered last night, were a 65-year-old man, four poultry workers and two travellers. It was gathered last night that the 65-year-old man was identified as Kakaja Joseph, a guard.

The two travellers were reportedly abducted after the militants embarked on a second operation, blocking a transit road.The Guardian gathered that the kidnappers also attempted to abduct students of Molajoye Community High School on the assembly ground, yesterday but policemen attached to Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Area N Police Command, Navy and Army foiled the attempt.

The heavily armed kidnappers were said to have stormed the poultry at about 8am, shooting sporadically. They reportedly took the victims in a waiting boat after stealing about 50 live chickens and eggs.   

People were said to have run into the bush in different directions. Many of them also spent the night in the bush.“After kidnapping the poultry workers, the gunmen went to Molajoye Expressway and kidnapped two travelers. Some of the occupants of the bus sustained injuries, a poultry worker, who asked not to be named, said.

Mr. Isaiah Joseph, son of the abducted guard, said: “Since our father was kidnapped, we’ve been running from pillar to post, to secure his release. When he left home on Saturday, we expected him back on Sunday for church service. We waited with our mother, but he didn’t show up. We decided to go to the farm to check on him. We were told by one of the engineers that he had been abducted, along with four workers.”

Chief Oguntayo  Abiodun, Baale of Igbodu said: “We were still discussing the kidnap of the guard and   poultry workers, when we got news about the attempted abduction of Molajoye students.

On Saturday, there was serious commotion in the community when the gunmen confronted men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) in a gun battle.  The sporadic shooting lasted for about 29 minutes. We’re appealing to the state government and the police to provide regular patrol of the community. Some of the local vigilante men cannot confront the gunmen because of the sophisticated weapons they carry. Some investors in the community have started relocating due to the incessant abductions of farmers and workers in the community. Farmers these days fear to go to work.”

Chief Olaitan Oshodiro, the Alashe of Igbodu said: “Those militants, who were dislodged from Arepo, Isawo and some part of Ogun state, have relocated to our area. We cannot sleep anymore,”The police insisted the story wasn’t true, especially stories being circulated on social media.

“The command wishes to state that this publication is not only false and misleading, but a figment of imagination of the writer. EPE axis and Lagos State, is totally safe. There is no invasion by militants or any other criminal elements on any part of Lagos,” the Lagos State Police was quoted as saying.

Culled from: Guardian Newspaper