Heavy shootings rock Festac as Kidnappers grabbed Army Lieutenant

Heavy shootings rock 7^th Avenue, Abule-Ado, Festac Town, Lagos State, yesterday, as soldiers and policemen in large number attempted to rescue an Army Lieutenant that was grabbed by kidnappers three days ago.

The shootings came a few hours after some angry Epe farmers thronged to the office of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, protesting incessant kidnapping in their areas and the continual captivity of seven farmers, abducted by kidnappers since February 14.

The army officer, Lieutenant Diya, was said to have been abducted along 7^th Avenue, Abule-Ado, Festac Town, three days ago, while on patrol with other soldiers.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmus, yesterday said she was yet to be aware of the incident, which occurred three days ago.

A Festac resident said: “The officer was kidnapped at three days ago. Today (Yesterday), soldiers re-enforced and are already pushing the militant kidnappers out of their base into 6^th Avenue in Festac.”

 As at 8pm yesterday, heavy shooting was still ongoing between soldiers and militants.

The identity of the Lieutenant is yet unknown. Military personnel under an operational code name AWATSE were deplored to the area to check activities of militants.

The Lieutenant was kidnapped with his service rifle while on patrol along the axis at about 5.30pm.

A source said: “ The abduction of the army officer led to shootings as a joint force by the Military and the Police invaded the creeks and headed for the kidnappers’ den. While some teams headed for the hideout where the abducted Lieutenant was suspected to have been taken to, others remained at the strategic points around Ijedodo, Abule-Ado, Totowu , Igando and neighbouring exit points, to ensure that the kidnappers will not escape.”

The shootings grounded commercial activities and forced residents to stay locked up indoors.

A fisherman, Aidan, said: “ I was going to inspect my fishing net when I noticed some suspicious movements. A  speed boat was at the shore with a man pretending to be carrying out repairs on it. Then all of a sudden, my fears were confirmed following a deafening gun shots. As that was going on, I saw a soldier being dragged into the speed boat. I had earlier thought the boat was faulty. The boat  that I assumed was faulty, came alive and zoomed off.

The Spokesperson , 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Major Mba Leme could not be reached for comments as his phone rang severally without response.

A resident in the area, said: “The operation is ongoing now simultaneously in Abule Ado and FESTAC town. The army officer was actually abducted on Saturday and what happened today is that the soldiers reinforced and invaded the base of the militants. For more than  two hours now ,there have been heavy shootings from the soldiers. It started from the 6th Avenue and it is now spreading to the 7th Avenue.”