At least 20 armed men, dressed in
military camouflage uniform on Sunday, swooped on Kodjo Farm, located at Igbodu,
Epe area of Lagos State and abducted seven people.
One of the victims has been
identified as Kakaja Joseph 65. Four poultry workers of Kodjo Farm were
abducted and two travellers.
The guard and four poultry workers
were abducted after the kidnappers attacked Kodjo Farm. But the two travellers
were taken after the militants embarked on a second operation, which witnessed
them blocking a transit road.
Yesterday, the kidnappers attempted
to abduct students of Molajoye Community High School on the assembly ground,
but policemen attached to Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Area N Police Command,
Navy and Army foiled the abduction.
Eye witnesses claimed that the men
stormed the poultry at about 8am, shooting sporadically. They were said to have
whisked away their victims in a waiting boat. The gunmen carted away about 50 live chickens
and many eggs.
The kidnappers, armed with
sophisticated guns, allegedly blocked a road along Igbodu, where they engaged
law enforcement officers in a gun duel.
People were said to have scampered
into the bush in different directions. Many of them were also alleged to have
spent the night in the bush.
A poultry worker, who wishes to
remain anonymous, said: “After kidnapping the poultry workers, the gunmen went
to Molajoye Expressway and kidnapped two travelers. Some of the occupants
of the bus sustained injuries.
The Epe axis became a preferred
target of kidnappers, after the Joint Task Force (JTF) comprised the Navy, Air
Force, and the Army, alongside operatives of the Department of State Services
(DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police, carried
out aerial bombardment in August.
It will be recalled that in
September, militants struck at Epe and abducted three female farmers and a
six-month-old baby. The victims were kidnapped on Igbodu Isiwo Road area of
Epe, Lagos State.
On November 15, armed gunmen,
allegedly numbering over 40, invaded a
farm settlement in Epe, also located on Igbodu-Isiwo Road, Lagos. They abducted four farmers. The men, dressed
in military uniform, came through the river about 10a.m.
On Sunday, the kidnappers struck
again, this time, abducting a security guard, two travellers and four poultry
workers.
On Monday, when our correspondent
visited the community, there was palpable tension in the air.
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 soonest
release.
“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, in-law to
Kakaja, said the farm management has promised to negotiate with the
kidnappers.
John further said: “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.”
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. 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 yesterday patroling the community. Over five RRS vans were
also on ground.
Reacting
to the latest Epe kidnap news saga, which was already making the round, the
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), insisted the story wasn’t
true, especially stories being circulated on social media.
She said: “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 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.”
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