By Kazeem Bisiriyu
Barely a week after gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants and oil vandals invaded Imushin, a sleepy community in Ogun State, killing about 15 villagers, two other border communities between Lagos and Ogun states; Elepete and Igbo Olomu in Ogijo area of Ikorodu were again attacked by armed men. By the time the smoking guns of the attackers ceased firing, about 30 persons were feared killed and scores injured. The attack took place on Thursday night/ early hours of Friday.
In the latest attack at Elepete and Igbo Olomu, it was learnt that several of the victims were landlords who had formed a vigilance group due to incessant armed robbery attacks in their areas, made bonfires at strategic points and were on patrol when the militants swooped on them.
The militants, who were said to be returning around 11pm from the creeks where they had allegedly gone to perpetrate their illegal business, opened fire as they arrived at Elepete after they mistook the vigilance group, for law enforcement agents.
As the victims fled, the militants chased them and rained bullets on the defenceless villagers. By daybreak on Friday, no fewer than 30 dead bodies were reportedly recovered from various points, while most of the residents had fled the communities for safety.
Another source in one of the communities said the militants had accused the villagers of giving information to security operatives about their illegal activities. The hoodlums were said to be angry at the way joint security operatives took over the area, preventing them from carrying out their criminal acts.
A community leader, John Ogunike said “Some of our relatives were slaughtered like ram. Mr Isioluwa Angus and his wife Rosemary were slaughtered with knife. Some of the victims were shot at close range while some were hit by stray bullet.
“At the Lagos State side, five Police patrol vans were used to evacuate 20 dead bodies. In Ogun side ,we don’t know how many people lost their lives, but, information reaching me showed that many dead bodies have been discovered .Ogun State people are yet to evacuate the bodies on their own side.
“We are relocating from this community. Everybody is scared. Even the neighbouring communities are also running away because, no one knows his fate. It happened last week at Ibeshi, Imushin and no one suspected they would storm our area. Who knows the next place they will go tomorrow as they have vowed to wipe out communities within this axis. We are begging the government to come to our rescue”
As at the time of filling this report, people were still fleeing the communities.
Soldiers and Policemen have, however, been drafted to the area. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, and his deputies were also in the area for on the spot assessment.
Disputing the casualty figure, Owosenis Ogun State counterpart, said only two persons were confirmed dead. The Public Relations Officer of the state command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said only two persons were killed by suspected militants who have been laying siege on the communities.
He said: “Two people have been confirmed dead. The militants came again and attacked the community. We will only continue to work collectively with all relevant agencies to stop the attacks. They came yesterday (Thursday) and attacked and went back to the creeks.”