Residents of Pacific Estate, Ikejiobi Avenue, Ewedogbon, in the Igando area of Lagos State have narrated how a boatload of armed Niger Delta militants attacked the suburb in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, looting and firing into the air as people fled.
They said police and soldiers responded, using drones to track the attackers while a helicopter hovered overhead. A gun battle ensued.
Residents said at least two police officers were wounded. Most spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
A landlord in the area, who identified himself only as Olayinka, however, told Punch there were women among the militants.
He said, “The attacks started in Fatoki community, Igando, on Saturday. We did not know it was our turn this morning (Tuesday). At about 6.30am, they came into the estate, shooting and moving around the streets.
“Everyone ran inside and bolted the doors. They caught a resident, Baba Victor, on his motorcycle, and took him away. They cut him with machetes, but he escaped during the gun battle with the police.
“They smashed the vehicles they found on the streets. They broke into shops and stole frozen foods, bags of rice and garri. They were about 15 men. The hoodlums did not cover their faces and there were women among them. Some of us were watching them from our houses.”
Lagos police spokesperson, Superintendent Dolapo Badmos, said the gunmen invaded the neighbourhood but police “swiftly moved in and foiled the attack.”
It was the second such attack this month in Lagos.
Militants have threatened to attack Lagos and Abuja to press demands for a greater share of wealth for residents of the oil-producing south suffering oil pollution.
