50 feared killed in Lagos/Ogun Communities

•Only two died, Police insist

By Daud Olatunji and Bose Adelaja

Barely six days after some suspected militants killed 15 persons in
Imushin community in Ogijo area of Ogun state, another 50 people were feared dead on Thursday night when militants swooped on the neighbouring communities in Elepete and Igbo Olomu, the borderline communities in Lagos/Ogun State. Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that a large number of the victims were said to be landlords in the area, who were reported to be keeping security watch over the communities, due to incessant armed robbery attacks.

A source who was a landlord but pleaded anonymity said his colleagues landlords made bonfires in strategic points with a view to checking incessant attacks by robbers. But, tragedy struck when the militants who were coming from where they had gone to perpetrate their illegal business, mistook the landlords for law enforcement agents and went on a shooting spree. The source said that 30 dead bodies have been accounted for from various points, and that many residents have fled the communities for safety.

Most residents who spoke with our correspondent lamented that the militants had threatened to attack the communities on reprisal attacks over the death of their colleagues few weeks ago. The residents have therefore blamed security operatives for alleged negligence resulting to loss of lives of residents and landlords. One for the residents who spoke with Saturday Vanguard said that only the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Airforce could tackle the menace of these criminals.

“The militants came out from the creek and attacked the communities around 11p.m on Thursday night. We were outside keeping vigil over incessant armed robbery attacks. We had bonfires in some areas and the militants, having sighted the bonfires, opened fire on anyone on sight. “The whole communities have already been deserted. We need the presence of the Nigerian Army, Airforce and Navy to curtail the excesses of these militants,” he said.

Another source told Saturday Vanguard that since the first attack which led to death of 15 persons in the communities, schools in the areas have been closed down while business activities were paralyzed. The source who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity said residents of the affected communities are fleeing their houses and that the whole areas were already deserted.

However, the Ogun State Police Command said only two people were killed by suspected militants who have been laying siege on the community. The command’s image maker, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while speaking with our correspondent said only two people were killed by the militants. He said that the militants came from the creek to attack innocent residents and fled back. Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, said the Police would try and fish out the criminals.

“Two have been confirmed dead. The militants came again and attacked the community. They came yesterday and attacked and went back to the creeks. We will only continue to try,” he said.