How militants turned Ikorodu community into theatre of war
The main town of Ikorodu may be blossoming, but some of its villages remain a war zone, where the joint military task force and policemen engage suspected pipeline vandals and militants in shootouts almost on a daily basis. The situation in the last seven days has remained chaotic as the rampaging militants have gone out on a shooting spree, leaving behind many victims. As at the last count, about 25 people have been killed and many others injured in the attack, which many suspect was aimed at eliminating those the assailants believe may have been passing information about their criminal activities to the police.
Right about now, the calculus of power at Imushi, Elepete, Igboolomu, Badore, Ibafo, is said to be simple. If you are feared, you are somebody, and those who instill fear are admired for their strength and are respected for their power.
Villagers who cannot cope with this situation have abandoned their homes and moved in with friends and relations in other areas.
The suspects, some of whom are said to be pipeline vandals invaded about five communities in Lagos and Ogun states penultimate Friday.
The villagers said the latest attack on them was one of the deadliest in recent times.
Though the police in Ogun State said only two persons were killed on their own side of the battle, the villagers said over 30 people lost their lives and scores of others injured in an early morning raid by hoodlums at Imushi area.
According to witnesses, some of the victims were beheaded by the attackers who had made the murky waters around Arepo and Ikorodu, a haven for their criminal activities.
They alleged that five vans were used to convey headless bodies of victim to the morgue, while some injured persons were taken away by family members.
Residents are said to have taken refuge in churches and mosque while others fled the area to escape the attacks.
A human rights activist and Lagos lawyer, Chief Gabriel Giwa-Amu, described the killings as a national tragedy and called for action.
The activist lamented that despite advance warnings that the local community was vulnerable to attack, troops were not sent to the area.
Salisu Ramoni, who relocated from Igboolomu community in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area to Ikorodu town said, before soldiers were deployed to protect the pipelines from vandals, those who control the creeks also controlled the lucrative trade in illicit bunkering and the arms and contraband that often made their way to Ikorodu, Epe and Ajah areas.
He alleged that about two years ago, about 15 security agents, including Naval personnel, officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) and policemen were killed in an attack in Arepo and Ikorodu.
The attack, which started from Imushi, moved to other villages such as Elepete and Igboolomu.
Presently, there is tension in the area as residents have continued to move out in droves.
Mr.Tayo Shotayo said, three of his co-landlords were killed by the gunmen.
He said: “I was sleeping when they came to call me to join them in the vigilante work but I told them I was on malaria drug but promised to join them later. Few minutes later, I heard gunshots.
“In the morning the tenants went outside only to discover the bodies of the landlord along with about 15 others”, he said.
Shotayo added that the incident was immediately reported at the Owutu Police Division and that the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO) led some of his men to the scene and evacuated the corpses in five police metro vehicles to the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary.
John, who is also a resident of the area, said two Hausa men who live close to his house were also killed in the attack by the gunmen.
“The gunmen started shooting last week Monday; we are presently living in fear. I have relocated my family members to a safer place.
“Some corpses still litter the community; we are tired of the killing”. A motorcyclist said two of their members who took passengers into the community were killed by the gunmen.“We are now living like refugees in our country; these gunmen have rendered some of us useless because people no longer visit the community.
“Some of the gunmen raped some married women, while others broke into shops and stole food items”, he said.
It was further gathered that the chairman of the Lagos State Taxi Drivers Association, Ikorodu branch was shot dead by the gunmen.
The police and army were seen patrolling the area to prevent further break down of law and order.
Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that areas affected mostly are Imagbon, Elepete, Kajola, Glorious land and Ereko.
Among the deceased were an artisan, Wasiu Okeowo, Yah Lateef, Mr. Ogundare and one Umoru.
According to a source, Ogundare was a rich and popular man in the area.
“He was a rich guy. Nobody knows why or how he was killed. But I can confirm to you that his family has buried him,” the source said.
What really happened?
Tayo Shotayo said, two weeks ago, operatives of the Ogun State Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) allegedly stormed a hotel at Elepete, where the vandals used as hideout and shot two of their members.
“We heard that the gunmen fled with the bodies of their injured colleagues. They later regrouped in the night and unleashed mayhem on the community,” he added.
What’s at the heart of the attacks?
Militants have been fighting the security personnel for more than two years. Their aim is to be allowed to continue their illicit trade of pipeline vandalisation.
Some alleged that the nation’s wealth had not been evenly distributed in the country, and that this has created a huge divide between the rich and poor.
To them, bombing pipelines and scooping petroleum products were the only way they could lay their hands on the “national cake”.
Sources said the Arepo creek is ruled by suspected militants, who are also allies of some security agents posted to patrol the area.
Some of the vandals, according to investigation, had helped to finance elections of political office holders,while others have aided security officers to acquire landed properties.
Effect of the attacks
Scores of persons were said to have died in the raid, while many others sustained injuries. Presently those who reside at Imagbon, Elepete, Kajola, Glorious Land and Ereko in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State have fled, abandoning their homes and businesses.
The armed men were also alleged to have vandalised over 20 shops, carting away valuables, and killed goats, chicken and other domestic animals.
“Some of us came back to see corpses everywhere; houses were destroyed,shops vandalised and they even killed our livestock. It is those militants that did it. They have been terrorising us for quite some time now, especially since the government stopped pumping fuel through the pipeline at Elepete.
A man who pleaded anonymity claimed that the villagers are frightened, especially because the gunmen threatened to return and raze their houses.”We are calling on the government to come to our aid.
The situation was said to have worsened, when suspected militants attacked the security team of Yetunde Onanuga, the deputy governor of Ogun State, when she embarked on an inspection visit to borderline communities between Ogun and Lagos states sacked by militants. The incident happened at Akoka Ebute area of Ibafo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
What security agencies are doing to arrest the situation
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP, Dolapo Badmos, said four persons were killed by the gunmen.
She however, said, the command would not leave any stone unturned to unravel those behind the dastardly act in the community.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Fergusson Bobai, said security operatives attached to the joint military task force are presently combing the Ikorodu creeks and some of its adjoining communities, in search of those responsible for Friday’s killings of about 20 persons at Imushin.
He said he had no details of the alleged invasion of Ikorodu by suspected militants, but added that investigation into the attack has commenced.