I escaped militants' bullets by hiding under armoured tank, says DPO

Ibrahim

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Owutu Police Station, Mr. Ejiofor Obiora, who was recently shot by militants that invade Isawo community in Ikorodu, Lagos State, killing an army captain and four policemen, yesterday revealed how he escaped death.

Obiora, who narrated his experience to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State, Mr Adams Ibrahim, said the army captain, Mohammed, was killed right beside him.

This was even as the resident said that gunshots continued on Monday night from creeks, fueling suspicion that the militants were still around, watching and waiting.

He said: “The captain was killed moment after he stepped out from the APC. I was shot too. I hid under the APC to escape death. The gunfire was beyond us. It was me who brought the captain and soldiers. We didn’t know the militants would ambush us.”

According to Obiora, immediately he got information that militants have entered the community and have kidnapped some people, he alerted Mohammed.

The two of them entered the available Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), followed by some policemen in a police van and went straight into the community.

When the kidnappers realized a team of policemen and soldiers were coming, they put up a fierce gun battle. The soldiers, policemen, assisted by local vigilante group, returned fire-for-fire.

When kidnappers noticed the firing was becoming too much, they abandoned some of the victims and took another route to escape, dragging other captives.

The captain and Obiora, thinking all the kidnappers have escaped, calmed the rescued captives.

After combing the area, they felt assured the kidnappers had left. They entered the APC and made a beeline for the exit.

When they drove and got to a particular spot, the APC stopped. The captain and Obiora stepped out from the APC. They were greeted by a hail of bullets. The captain fell, while Obiora, who was shot on his buttock, scrambled under the APC. It is believed that the darkness protected Obiora. The DPO said the militants ambushed them. They opened fire on the policemen, who were in the van.

According to the Area K Commander Ikorodu, Mr. Garuba, when he came to the scene, he found three bodies across the road. The police driver of the van and Moses Osaze Omoregbe were burnt in the van.

The visit to the community would be Ibrahim’s first official assignment as AIG. Ibrahim said that he came to carry out an on the spot assessment.

Addressing the residents, Ibrahim said: “The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has asked me to extend his sympathy. He said we should reassure that police would restore peace and order.  There’ll be improved security. We need to restrategise against the kidnappers. We need to secure these areas. We have to be proactive to stop reoccurrence of such an incident. I can assure of that this will never happen again! We’re in control.”

He vowed that police would catch the militants who attacked the community, kidnap people, killed an army and four Policemen.

The residents demanded that the Federal and State government should synergies and ensure that a military, police and naval base is built in their community to check rampaging of militants.

One the landlords in the community, Mr Adekunle Kunle, said building of a military, police and naval base in the community would check the activities of the militants.

According to another resident, too many people have been killed in the community and many others have abandoned their homes and buildings.

According to the residents, gunshots are still being heard in the community yesterday. Residents said militants are still hiding in the creeks, waiting to strike again.

It was gathered that a pastor was attacked along with his wife, children and wife’s younger brother. The said brother, died on Tuesday.

A resident said: “We just government to double its efforts. The militants still shot yesterday from the creeks.”

Mr. Kunle said: “These militants can hide in water for hours before striking. The area is like a ghost town because everyone has ran away. I just returned today. I haven’t even entered my house.”

As Ibrahim begin to drive out of the community with his team, women and children cluttered by the roadside, making supplications for help.

Men, who came into the community at the sight of Ibrahim and his men, dashed into their homes to collect toothbrushes and paste. They also left the community, hoping for security intervention, so that they can return to their homes.