Lagos community panics over return of militants

 

Residents of Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos State, say they now live in fear following the return of militants who have been terrorising them in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that scores of people were killed in 2016 during clashes between militants and residents of Isawo community, leading to the deployment of a joint military task force in the area.

Residents told NAN on Monday that many of the hoodlums had returned to Isawo and neighbouring communities.

“They brandish guns openly during the daytime and rob people at night; many residents are now living in fear. The men are boasting that they are back to revenge the killings of their people in Isawo last year.

“Olusola Oke Street, near Majidun, is one of the militants’ meeting points where they smoke Indian hemp openly.

“Residents don’t go out until 7am every day, and before 6pm, everyone is back home,” a female resident, who did not want to be identified, said.

She added that some residents had relocated from the area for their safety since the return of the hoodlums.

Another resident called on the military and the police to check the militants before they unleashed mayhem.

The Lagos State police spokesperson, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the command was re-strategising the security arrangements in the state, including the Ikorodu area.

He added that more police patrol teams would be deployed in the area, urging residents to provide useful information on the activities of the hoodlums.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, said, “I don’t have any report yet to suggest that militants are back in the area.

“But the Lagos State Governor has approved the return of swamp buggies to open up the creeks in the area to enable us to carry out in-depth patrols.”

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