Pipeline vandals attack Lagos police station, kill three.
Some suspected pipeline vandals have attacked the Owutu Police Division along Agric Bus stop in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
The vandals, who were said to have struck on Monday, shot two policemen and a civilian dead during the assault.
Our correspondent learnt that the
attackers, who reportedly wielded pump-action rifles, came on three
motorcycles and a commercial bus at about 10pm.
It was gathered that the vandals, after
killing the two cops, who were stationed at the police division’s gate,
also dispossessed them of arms and ammunition.
The vandals, it was also gathered, burnt one of the patrol vehicles in front of the station before their exit.
When PUNCH Metro visited the
station on Tuesday, it was observed that five Rapid Response Squad vans
with riot policemen were guarding the police division.
There was also an amour tank from the Area H Command, Ogudu, at the scene.
A motorcycle rider (okada)
beside the station, who gave his name simply as Usman, explained that
the civilian that was shot dead along with the cops was also an okada rider.
He added that two other shop owners
beside the station sustained gunshot injuries and were being treated at
the Ikorodu General Hospital.
He said, “The vandals came to the station at about 10.30pm. They caught the officers by surprise. At that time, it was us (okada riders), and tea vendors who were still on the roads.
“Two policemen were shot dead. The
vandals then began to shell the station. In the process, one of us─ Mr.
Illiyasu Abdullahi ─ was hit and he died. His motorcycle is still parked
over there. He was from Katsina State and was married with four
children.
“Two other tea sellers were hit by the bullets. They are still receiving treatment at the Ikorodu General Hospital.”
Our correspondent gathered that Abdullahi’s corpse had been deposited at a morgue in the area.
A resident near the station, who declined
to give his name, added that he believed the vandals were returning
from an operation in the Abule Ishawo and Tapa areas when they stopped
to attack the station.
He said, “Three motorcycles brought them
here. Three men were seated on each bike. The rifles those vandals
brought were superior to that of the police. There was no power supply
and everywhere was dark.
“The vandals spoke the Ijaw language.
Earlier, at about 4pm, we saw vans of the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps driving into the area as if they suspected the vandals
were coming, but the NSCDC did not return with any suspect.
“It was in the evening that the attack took place. The NSCDC men had left. The vandals’ guns sounded like bombs.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations
Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the attack. He added that the
command lost two officers, noting that efforts were being made to
apprehend the vandals.
He said, “The vandals got to the Owutu
Police Division and opened fire. Our men responded to repel them, and in
the process, we lost two of them along with their rifles. The vandals
came in a commercial bus and eight motorcycles. They numbered about 30.
“We have not arrested any suspect for
now, but intense efforts are being made to get them. I was in Owutu this
morning (Tuesday), and the area is calm now. That is the situation.”
