Tragedy struck in Fagbile Phase 3 Estate, White Sand, in the Ijegun area of Lagos State after some gunmen killed two residents and abducted a teenager, Uloma Igwe. Those killed were identified as the Chairman of the Harmony Community Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Omatar, and a Togolese, identified simply as Job.
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It was gathered that Omatar was returning from work when a landlord called him on the telephone, saying he was being attacked by suspected robbers. The 47-year-old reportedly raised the alarm in order to mobilise the local vigilance group and alert other residents.
The gunmen were said to have shot him in the head and chest, killing him on the spot. Job, a block molder, was reportedly killed some distance away.
A resident, who did not want to be identified for security reason, said the 8pm Tuesday attack was not up to 15 minutes. He said, “I didn’t see the gunmen; what caught our attention were the reports as they gunned down the chairman and the block molder.
“I think the chairman spotted them as they were leaving with Uloma (Igwe). As he raised the alarm, they shot him in the chest and head. “The block molder was killed some distance away. He was unlucky to have run into them and was killed.”
A relative of Igwe, who did not want to be identified, said she was kidnapped while heading home from work.
He explained that during what appeared to be a struggle between the 18-year-old and the assailants, her phone, foot wears and wristwatch fell off. He said the items were later picked up by the family during a search for her.
“The kidnappers called us yesterday (Wednesday). They said we must pay them N1.5m before they will release her. I told them that we didn’t have the money. “They threatened that if I didn’t get the money they would come for me; I told them that the family was struggling to raise it and they should be patient.
“They allowed me to speak with her and she told me she was doing well. She, however, said she could not tell the location of the place where they took her to,” the relative added.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the kidnappers stayed in a creek in the community from where they usually wrecked havoc.
It was learnt that the creek connects the community with FESTAC Town and compromised the security of the area.
It was learnt that the latest attack was the third in less than six months.
A landlord, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said each time a resident is abducted, the victim’s family paid ransom ranging from N1m to N5m.
He said, “They always go for choice houses to kidnap landlords and tenants for ransom. They collect between N1m and N5m.”
Our correspondent was told that the three children and wife of the slain CDA chairman had been taken to their hometown in Kogi State while the family prepared for the burial rites.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, and the Area M Commander had visited the scene.
Also, policemen from the Isheri, Idimu and Ikotun divisions were said to have mounted surveillance on the area. Our correspondent observed some of the police patrol vans during a visit to the community on Thursday.
