Segun Atanda/
Several gunmen dressed in military camouflage have abducted seven persons in Lagos as they seized a community in Epe by the throat.
Reports say the gang first struck on Sunday at a place called Kodjo Farm at Igbodu, in Epe, where they abducted seven men. Then, they continued the onslaught today and tried to abduct students from a school.
One of those abducted at Kodjo Farm was identified as a 65-year-old guard called Kakaja Joseph. Four poultry farm workers of the farm and two travellers were among the victims.
The travellers were abducted, when the gunmen embarked on a second operation, during which a transit road was blocked. A one-time newspaper reporter who was caught in the melee, called Newsmakers in the heat of the attack when he couldn’t get the police on the phone.
“Gunmen are operating here. They’ve blocked the road. It’s so serious. Get the police, please!” he said. He later called back to say that the police arrived and engaged the bandits in fierce battle along a road in a place called Igbodu.
Today, the community witnessed another round of violence, when gunmen descended on Molajoye Community High School and tried to abduct students during the morning assembly. But a joint effort by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), officers from Area N Police Headquarters, the Navy and Army foiled the abduction.
According to eyewitnesses accounts the men stormed the farm at about 8 a.m shooting sporadically. They whisked their victims away in a waiting boat. The gunmen carted away several live chickens and eggs.
Some of those caught up in the Sunday attack said that they slept inside the bush.
A farm worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “After kidnapping the poultry workers, the gunmen went to Molajoye Expressway and kidnapped two travellers. Some of the occupants of the bus sustained injuries.
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.”
Joseph said that the management of the poultry had assured them that they would make efforts to secure his release soonest.
“We’re still waiting for him to return, but our major concern is his health. He’s old. We don’t know how they are treating him,” said Joseph.
Mr. Isaac John, an in-law to Kakaja, said the farm management had promised to negotiate with the kidnappers.
He added: “We’re anxious! We don’t know his condition presently. If not because of the economic situation in the country, the old man wouldn’t be doing that sort of job.”
The Igbodu Community Leader, Chief Oguntayo Abiodun, 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 parts of Ogun State, have relocated to our area. We cannot sleep anymore. We’re dying of hunger! We cannot go to farm, so as not to be kidnapped. We go to bed by 6: 30pm these days.”
Mobile Policemen from Mopol 22 and RRS were sighted today patrolling the community. Over five RRS vans were also on ground.
Because of the recurrence of kidnap cases in the Epe axis the Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising of the Navy, Air Force, and the Army, alongside men of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police, carried out aerial bombardment of the region in August.
Last September, gunmen struck at Epe and abducted three female farmers and a six-month-old baby. The victims were kidnapped on Igbodu-Isiwo Road in Epe.
On November 15, gunmen, allegedly numbering over 40, invaded a farm settlement in Epe, also located on Igbodu-Isiwo Road. They abducted four farmers. The men, dressed in military uniform, came through the river at about 10a.m.
The Lagos police spokesperson however debunked the story.
She said: “The command wishes to state that this 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 command hereby advises anyone peddling this falsehood to desist or be made answerable to the law. Residents of Epe and Lagos at large should disregard this falsehood and carry on their lawful activities, as the command has devised operational strategies to ensure safety of lives and property during this festive season. Members of the public are enjoined to report any suspicious movement to the command through its emergency numbers 767 or 112.”