Crime
Isawo residents demand army barracks
- as AIG Zone 2 visits community
By OKOSUN DENNIS
Residents of Isawo community in Ikorodu have cried out to the federal government to come to their rescue following Sunday’s attack by militants that led to the death of an army captain, four policemen and two other civilians.
As a result of the recurrent incidence of militant attacks, thevillagers appealed to relevant authorities to establish a military barracks in the area, saying that they are confident that with such barracks and robust police patrol, they would be saved from the vagaries of militant attacks.
Speaking at Yewa at Isawo on Tuesday after been conducted round by the Area Commander, ACP Garba, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adamu Ibrahim appealed to members of the community to give timely information to the security agencies assuring that they would respond swiftly.
The AIG, who paid a sympathy visit to the community and also had first hand assessment of the deserted town after Sunday’s, called on the residents to always get in touch with the police whenever they suspect any clandestine movement that would threaten their security.
“We would get all the criminals that perpetrated this act to face justice. Its just a little time. Get in touch with us; have the phone numbers of the Divisional Police Officer and other senior officers if there is any development quickly reach them. We are there for you and we will surely get them.
“The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris sent me here to sympathise with you over this unfortunate incident. We need your cooperation and I assure you of improved security,” the Zone 2 commander added.
Moving round major streets as our correspondent visited some of the points from which the militants penetrate the community, shows a community that was completely abandoned.
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When some who had converge at a junction saw the convoy of police, they came out and applauded the efforts of the police.
Kunle, one of the residents hinted National Daily that the community that used to bubble with different activities has suddenly become desolate as residents have flee their homes for fear for another attack.
Some residents told National Daily that the militants use different points to infiltrate the community. From Yewa axis, Wood Island and Igoroto axis, they allegedly stormed at will and anytime the police come against them, they jump into the swamp and could be inside the water for over 30 minutes.
It was gathered that to mitigate the attacks, especially as the area is largely mangrove, the Community Development Association (CDA) had to clear the surrounding bushes and fell the trees.
Yet Adekunle, another resident, who has since abandoned his house, said the criminals defile every step to stop their illicit act.
However, when he was asked that some residents harbour the militants, he retorted: “We don’t even know them. They attack and go. That is why it is difficult for us to identify them or even hand them over to the security agencies.”
Pointing to a deserted house, said the owner was kidnapped about three months ago and has since not found.
One of the residents, James, whose younger brother, Osaze Omorogbe was killed by the militants appealed to the security agencies and the government not to let the death of his brother to be in vain.
James explained, “the militants do whatever they like to the extent that they killed my brother. He had nothing to do with the vandalism and was on his own that night when they ambushed the security men and killed anybody in sight,”. He added.
Present during the visit were the Area Commander, the Divisional Police Officer at Owutu
Police station, CSP Ejiofor Obiora, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2, Superintendent Dolapo Badmus and other senior officers.
The authority of 81 Division, Nigerian Army had on Sunday confirmed the killing of an army officer and four policemen at Isawo after they came under an ambush by criminal gang at Ikorodu in Lagos.
The Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 81 Division, NA; Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu added that the deceased officers were killed on their way from where they had gone to rescue some abducted residents of Yewa Community, Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos state.