Lagos under Militants Attack

Military authorities have officially declared a soldier missing in Lagos, after troops on routine patrol were ambushed by militants in Abule-Ado, Festac Town area of the state.
Policemen also came under fire as their patrol vehicle was riddled with bullets, after five farm workers were abducted by about 30 gunmen at Elysian Farms Limited, in Igbodu area of Epe today. It was the third raid on the farm in two months and the sixth in the community since September 2016.
Five farm workers and two members of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) were abducted on February 14 at Elysian Farms.
“The community is under intense attack,” said the community leader, Mr Michael Shodipo.
He added, “As I’m speaking with you now, there is commotion in the community. Everybody is running for safety. We have tried all possible means to dislodge the kidnappers from our community. Our efforts didn’t yield any fruitful results.”
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the ongoing battle between police and kidnappers at Epe, said that no officer died in the shootout.
A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said, “Trouble started today after the kidnappers fought over money. We heard they argued among themselves over money. The kidnappers withdrew money from ATM gallery with the card of one of the victims.
“It was in the process of fighting over the money, that one of them was shot and killed. Apparently angry and mourning their slain colleague, five among them stormed Elysian Farm, hoping to abduct another set of victims. They, however, met policemen. They immediately opened fire, riddling police patrol van with bullets. The policemen scampered in different directions, leaving their vehicles.”
But the policemen later regrouped and called for reinforcement as they engaged in gun battle.
Newsmakers learnt that an army officer was abducted, when troops patrolling the creeks around Abule-Ado, in Festac Town, came under gunfire in an ambush.
The military authorities in Lagos confirmed the incident adding that efforts were ongoing to locate the missing personnel.
The acting Deputy Director Army Relations 81 Division Nigeria Army, Lieutenant Colonel OM Daudu, says in a press statement today that “troops remain resilient and focused in search of their Missing – In – Action (MIA) colleague. They also continue to contend with security situation within the general area”.
Meanwhile the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of Nigerian Army, Major General Ebenezer Babatunde Oyefolu implored anyone with useful information to come forward. He also reassured the general public, especially the residents of Abule-Ado area of Festac Town of their continued safety as they go about their legitimate businesses.

Newsmakers had yesterday reported the attack at Festac Town in this post: http://www.newsmakersng.com/2017/02/20/guns-boom-in-festac-town-as-soldiers-search-for-abducted-officer/