BREAKING: Militants invade Lagos community, kidnap 7, steal food

Militants dressed in military camouflage have abducted five poultry workers and two travelers in the Epe area of Lagos state

An attempt by the kidnappers to abduct students of Molajoye Community High School on the assembly ground, was foiled, by policemen

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Epe area of Lagos state has been under siege from militants in recent times.

Suspected militants have abducted seven persons from a farm located at Igbodu in the Epe area of Lagos state.

Vanguard reports that the bandits numbering about 20, who dressed in military camouflage swooped on Kodjo Farm at about 8am shooting sporadically and forced their victims into a waiting boat, carting away about 50 live chickens and several eggs.

One of the victims of the abduction, which took place on Sunday, November 27, has been identified as 65 years-old Kakaja Joseph, a guard at the farm.

The others were said to be four poultry workers of the Farm and two travelers who were taken during a second operation in which the attackers blocked a transit road.

However, an attempt by kidnappers to abduct students of Molajoye Community High School on the assembly ground, was foiled, by policemen attached to Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Area ‘N’ Police Command, Navy and Army.

Eyewitnesses said the bandits Armed with sophisticated weapons, blocked a road along Igbodu, where they engaged law enforcement officers in a gun battle.

A poultry worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “After kidnapping the poultry workers, the gunmen went to Molajoye Expressway and kidnapped two travellers. Some of the occupants of the bus sustained injuries.”

The gun battle forced people to run into the bush for safety, where many of them spent the night.

This latest attack by militants in the Epe community comes after similar attacks in past weeks.

In September, militants struck at Epe and abducted three female farmers and a six-month-old baby. The victims were kidnapped on Igbodu Isiwo Road area of Epe, Lagos state.

Again, on November 15, gunmen, allegedly numbering over 40, invaded a farm settlement in Epe, also located on Igbodu-Isiwo Road, Lagos, and abducted four farmers. The men, dressed in military uniform, came through the river about 10am.

Then on Sunday, November 27, they struck again and abducted a security guard, two travellers and four poultry workers.

But the Lagos state police command has dismissed the reports on militant invasion of Epe as untrue.

The Lagos state police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmus, insisted the story was false, especially stories being circulated on social media

She said the Epe axis and Lagos state, is safe, noting that there is no invasion by militants or any other criminal elements on any part of Lagos.