Again, armed kidnappers yesterday stormed Igbodu area of Epe, Lagos State unleashed terror on residents despite day after the Save Our Soul (SOS) protest led community leaders staged to the governor’s office against the continued abduction in the community.
A farm manager who spoke on condition of anonymity with our reporter claimed the kidnappers were more than 30, who stormed Elysian Farms yesterday.
He said: “We can’t ascertain the number of farm workers abducted for now. We cannot go into the farm presently; those of us, who were around when they came, had to escape. We are going to have a head count later to know the number of workers kidnapped. There were gunshots everywhere. The community is under attack.”
Also another resident who refused to disclose his identity said: “We heard they argued among themselves over money. The kidnappers withdrew money from an ATM gallery with the card of one of the victims. It was in the process of fighting 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 and immediately opened fire, riddling the police patrol van with bullets. The policemen scampered in different directions, leaving their vehicles. But the policemen later regrouped, called for reinforcement and returned fire for fire.”
It was gathered that the kidnappers were able to abduct five victims. For reasons yet unknown, the kidnappers left the victims in the custody of two of their colleagues in the bush.
When the victims realized that only two kidnappers were keeping watch on them, they attacked and allegedly killed one of the kidnappers. Those who escaped returned from the bush to narrate their ordeal.
Meanwhile the Baale of the community, Mr. Michael Shodipo, lamented that they have tried all possible means to dislodge the kidnappers, stressing that their efforts have not yielded positive results.
The state police boss, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the incident, said no police officer died in the shootout.
“The kidnappers came out but our men were able to repel them,” he said.