Residents desert Ikorodu community following gunmen attack

Deserted community

Kazeem Ugbodaga

Residents of Elegbete and surrounding villages in Ikorodu, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have abandoned their homes following the invasion of the area by gunmen, suspected to be Ijaw militants.

Residents on Monday reported indiscriminate shootings by the invaders leading to the closure of schools, markets and shops.

The militants were said to have struck between 9 a.m and 10a.m. on Monday.

Heavy gunshots filled the air as residents ran to safety, while schools, shops and businesses were hurriedly shut by their owners to avoid being shot.

Uduimoh Ipeakhai, a resident in Igbolomu said they had to abandon their homes to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

Anxious parents ran to the schools to take their children home while the police and army have taken over the area to provide security.

A resident said the militants invaded a school in the area, but allowed the children to go, warning them not to return to school again.

One of the landlords confirmed that fleeing residents have relocated to Igbolomu and Agbede areas of Ikorodu.

A police source disclosed that the attack was carried out by Ijaw boys, adding that the Commissioner of Police had deployed a large number of mobile policemen to the area to maintain peace.

Three armoured personnel carriers (APCs) have also been deployed to the troubled area.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the attack, adding that everything was now under control.

She told our correspondent that soldiers have been deployed to the area to complement the efforts of the police.

Badmus also denied reports that 13 people were killed in the area by the gunmen.