Some gunmen on Saturday attacked Lekki Gardens Estate, in the Isheri area of Lagos State and kidnapped four residents.
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the
assailants entered into the community through the waterways around 8am
and first shot sporadically into the air.
assailants entered into the community through the waterways around 8am
and first shot sporadically into the air.
The gang whisked away their victims in a speedboat.
It was gathered that the residents were on an early morning jogging exercise when they were taken away.
A community leader, who spoke on
condition of anonymity, said the suspected militants had actually taken
nine hostages, adding that only four were taken away because the boat
could not take all the victims.
condition of anonymity, said the suspected militants had actually taken
nine hostages, adding that only four were taken away because the boat
could not take all the victims.
He said, “The incident happened around
8am. The gunmen were between eight and 10 in number. They came in a
speedboat and shot into the air for about five minutes. They kidnapped
nine people and put them in their operational boat. But when they saw
that the boat could not take all of them, they decided to go with only
four.
8am. The gunmen were between eight and 10 in number. They came in a
speedboat and shot into the air for about five minutes. They kidnapped
nine people and put them in their operational boat. But when they saw
that the boat could not take all of them, they decided to go with only
four.
“The operatives of the Rapid Response
Squad were alerted and they responded to the situation. As I speak with
you, the landlords are deliberating on the incident.”
Squad were alerted and they responded to the situation. As I speak with
you, the landlords are deliberating on the incident.”
He explained that as of 8pm on Saturday, the families of the victims had yet to be contacted for ransom.
A police source said policemen from the
Lagos and Ogun states division visited the scene, adding that efforts
were on to ensure the release of the victims.
Lagos and Ogun states division visited the scene, adding that efforts
were on to ensure the release of the victims.
“The police from Ogun and Lagos states
were there to assess the situation because that place i s a boundary
area between the two states,” he said.
were there to assess the situation because that place i s a boundary
area between the two states,” he said.
The acting spokesperson for the Ogun
State Police Command, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, but
said the area was under the jurisdiction of the Lagos command.
State Police Command, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, but
said the area was under the jurisdiction of the Lagos command.
He explained that the Ogun police only supported with some of its operatives.
The Police Public Relations Officer,
Lagos State, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the command had started
investigation into the incident, adding that the suspects would be
arrested and the victims rescued unhurt.
Lagos State, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the command had started
investigation into the incident, adding that the suspects would be
arrested and the victims rescued unhurt.