By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos.
Suspected kidnappers struck in some parts of Lagos Thursday, killing three persons, kidnapped one and carted away food stuffs, cash and mobile phones of different make.
The suspects, who were armed to the teeth were said to have stormed Isheri area, a suburb of the state, early Thursday, where they killed three night guards and abducted Secretary of the Isheri North Residents Association, Mr. Dayo Adekoya.
In a related development, another set of the gang were said to have invaded Iba community in Ojo Council area of the state at noon, where foods stuffs, cash and mobile phones were carted away from their victims.
At the Iba incidents, the kidnappers were said to have arrived at about 2.00pm, through the creek behind the Ojo Military Cantonment in Monkey Village Community, held residents at gun point and disposed them of their goods.
According to an eye witness, they shoot sporadically to scare the soldiers who might attempt to repel the attack before entry into the stores and shops for their looting.
Our correspondent gathered that they gained entrance into the premises of the factory of Givers Table Water Company, where a worker was dispossessed of the sum of N30,000, two mobile phones and other items.
The DPO of Ojo Division, CSP Umaru Abubakar was said to have responded to distress call by victims, but could not make any arrest as they suspects were said tro have escaped through a get- away boat.
In the Isheri incident, according to eyewitness account, the gunmen entered the estate around 1:00 am and shot sporadically in the air for about three hours while carrying out the operation.
Three private estate security were gunned down by the gunmen as they attempted to prevent the kidnappers from escaping with their victim, who is a landlord.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, confirmed the incident that happened in the early hours of Thursday.
According to him, “Secretary of the estate, one Dayo Adekoya, has been identified as the person who was kidnapped by the gunmen.
He said Mr Adekoya was kidnapped by about 20 gunmen who stormed the estate around 1:00 am, Thursday morning.
He said those killed were local estate security men who attempted to prevent them from escaping after they had abducted Adekoya.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday directed the State Police Command to ensure prompt arrest of kidnappers who struck on Wednesday evening in Isheri area of the State killing three security guards.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said Governor Ambode has already directed the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni to move decisively and promptly to arrest the kidnappers.
Governor Ambode, according to the statement, specifically commiserated with the families of the security guards that lost their lives to the unfortunate incident, and assured that government is on top of the situation and working with security agencies to ensure early release of the victim.
Ayorinde said: “A while ago, the CP of Lagos Command of the Nigerian Police, confirmed that police has commenced investigation as well as put in place necessary rescue operation to ensure the release of the victim.
“While the State Government commiserates with the families of the three dead estate security guards, it will leave no stone unturned to ensure that lives and property of residents in the State are protected.”
It would be recalled that just last week, Governor Ambode had demonstrated his seriousness and determination to eradicate the menace of kidnapping when he signed into law the anti-kidnapping bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
The law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment on kidnapping for ransom and death penalty in the event of death of a kidnapped victim.
The police should think like bandits to be able nab them. The former are real bad while the latter are really hungry