Bloody mission: 12 feared killed as militants killed captain, soldiers, policemen

·      Injured DPO in hospital, battling to survive

Twelve people were feared killed yesterday, including a military captain and four policemen after militants and a Joint Task Force on anti-militancy clashed at Yewa- Olaloko, Ishawo  area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

One of the survivors of the gory attack, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), is battling to live in the hospital. The slain Captain has been simply identified as Muhammad.

The Commander of the militants and two other militants were killed in gun duel that ensured between the police and militants.

The Joint Task Force on anti-militancy in Lagos and Ogun states called Operation Awatse were said to have been ambushed on their way to  Olaloko area in the early hours of Sunday, while on a mission to rescue eight kidnapped victims in the area.

They ran into an ambush. They were alleged to have been attacked, killed and set on fire. The security agents’ operational Hilux vehicle was also set on fire by the militants.

A source said: “The soldiers, policemen and operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) went to the area in an attempt to rescue some abducted victims. The militants opened fire on them. The DPO is critical now. It’s doubtful whether he’ll survive.”

A resident in the area, who identified simply as Gbemisola, said that eight residents were abducted, after which the community alerted police.

 The community alerted the police. Police were said to have moved immediately, with soldiers, but met their death.

The resident recounted: “The exchange of gun battle woke us up around 12midnight which lasted till 3am. The Joint Task Force, deployed on the creeks of Lagos and Ogun states were on their way to rescue the victims when they were ambushed by the kidnappers, who opened fire on them, killing four policemen and two soldiers instantly. In the exchange of gun battle which ensured, the commander of the militants was killed, while two of his men were also killed by the police. The death of their commander angered the militants further, leading to them killing three of their captives. They fled with five other victims.”

He said that militants, who were dispersed after the Airforce bombardment of the creeks, were gradually regrouping and becoming formidable.

His words: “The militants have come back and are kidnapping every day. Government should be more proactive on this development. We don’t wish for death of policemen and soldiers in this manner. What we are asking is that police should set up a command at that creek. They should treat it like what they have done on Sambisa forest in the North East. A serious military intervention is needed here.”

Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said that around 1: am, on Sunday, the police received distress call that a group of militants/kidnappers entered Owutu-Isawo in Ikorodu through the thick swampy forest surrounding the area.

Owoseni said: “The militant kidnappers kidnapped some residents. In response, the Police and the Army immediately mobilised personnel to the area, where the victims were rescued. Sadly however, five out of the gallant, brave and patriotic officers lost their lives during the rescue operation. One of them is a Nigerian Army Captain while the remaining four are policemen. One of the residents in the area also died. We pray that the God Almighty reward their loyalty to the Nation with Paradise and peaceful rest. We also pray that God gives their respective families the courage to bear the loss.”
The remains of the security agents and resident have been moved to mortuary.

The militants had struck at Woodland Estate close to Ishawo Creeks and engaged the security personnel, soldiers and the police in a gun battle.

It’s yet unclear if any militant was killed in the confrontation.

The Lagos State Government on Sunday commiserated with families of the four policemen and Army Captain.

The State's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, described the incident as unfortunate but insisted that it would only strengthen its resolve to remove crime and criminalities from the state.

 According to a press release from the Lagos State Government, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was deeply touched by the incident and condoled with the families of the slain officers.

 Ayorinde said: “The Governor, however, assures the Police and general public of his support and commitment to rid the state of every form of militancy, kidnappings, and illegal waterfront shanties that harbour criminals." 

The State Government stressed that the unfortunate incident in Ishawo had further reinforced its resolve to go after criminal elements and their collaborators who are using coastal areas and illegal waterfront settlements as havens or escape routes to perpetrate evil and criminal activities.

The government stated that every perpetrator directly or remotely linked to the Ishawo dastardly act would be brought to justice in the shortest possible time.

The government further noted: "We wish to solicit the understanding and support of the public on the need to rid our waterways of illegal shanties that are not only an eyesore to our collective decency but have become a fertile ground for breeding illicit and illegal activities that constitute danger to the security and wellbeing of the larger public.”