Gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants, on Monday attacked the convoy of Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga at Ibafo, the border town between Ogun and Lagos States.
The gun battle, which reportedly lasted for about 20 minutes, took place when the deputy governor, was on an inspection visit to the communities recently attacked by militants.
The deputy governor, who had some security chiefs in the entourage, had visited Imushin, Elepete and Igbo-Olomu communities to reassure residents of the state’s commitment to providing adequate security to lives and property.
The situation was said to have changed at Akoka Ebute area of Ibafo, in Obafemi-Owode Local Council area, when the suspected militants opened fire on the security operatives.
However, no casualty was recorded in the attack. The gunmen had last week, launched attack on some of the communities, killing scores of people while others fled for their lives.
Worried by the attacks, traditional rulers from the affected communities had gone on a “save our souls” mission to the state government, where they met with the Secretary to the Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa in Abeokuta.
It was learnt that shortly after the meeting, the Onanuga-led delegation visited the affected communities.
However, as an advance security team approached the Ibafo creeks, where the suspected militants were believed to be hiding, a barrage of gunfire ensued, forcing the law enforcement agents to take cover.
An eyewitness told The Guardian that the security operatives, comprising soldiers and policemen, responded swiftly and repelled the militants, who retreated deeper into the creeks and escaped in the process. The delegation later made a detour from the troubled area.
Reacting, Adeoluwa expressed concern at the deteriorating security situation in the area and called for urgent Federal Government’s assistance, lamenting that the exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the daredevil criminals in broad daylight was regrettable.
He said: “It is a thing of regret that things have gone so bad in our country that a team, led by the deputy governor was not able to have access to a part of the state.”
He called for a military task force in the area like the one positioned in the troubled Niger Delta area.
The Baale of Akoka Ebute, Ibafo, Folorunso Balogun, who also spoke to journalists, said the community has been deserted since the attacks started. He disclosed that the militants abducted a couple in the process.
-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
