This is not the best of time for some communities in Lagos as they are currently under siege and fear over recent invasion of their area by kidnappers and other criminal elements, torturing, killing and causing mayhem there almost on daily basis.
The rising cases of criminal activities, especially kidnapping and robbery in the state, was confirmed by the Inspector General of police, Ibrahim Idris on his recent visit to the state.
The IGP expressed his concern over the incident and promised to install a tracking machine to curb the rampant kidnapping, robbery and every other criminal elements in the state and beyond.
Some of the communities involved are Omole Estate, Festac, Isheri Oshun, Ijegemo, Ijedodo, Satellite Town, Ajah and Epe among others.
However, there was no sign yet that the tracking machine has been brought and installed.
Our correspondent learnt that the criminals were still operating freely because of the sophistication of the weapons they use.
It was gathered that some residents are relocating elsewhere where they feel they are safer, owing to the rampant attack on the affected communities and eagerly awaiting the installation of the tracking machine to flush out those criminals.
Some of the residents who spoke to our correspondent said they are no longer safe due to the incessant of abduction and kidnapping in those areas and have decided to move to another areas pending when peace will return to their areas.
The activities of the kidnappers started last year and continued this year unabated with some victims losing their lives while those who were lucky to come out alive spent so much money as ransom before their release.
Sometime in February this year, the Secretary of Isheri North Estate, Mr Dayo Adekoya was kidnapped and three victims killed in the process.
Adekoya, who was abducted by about 20 gunmen, was later released after he reportedly paid undisclosed amount of money as ransom.
Barely 24 hours Adekoya was released, five farmers and two Oodua People’s Congress, OPC members were kidnapped and kept in captivity at Epe area of Lagos for several days.
The victims, who are workers seconded to Eliasa Farm in the area, was abducted by 15 gunmen who dressed in military uniforms at Ishiwo Road in Igboju area of Epe and escaped in their boats through the waterway to the river line.
Our correspondent learnt that before the abduction of the victims, gunmen had also abducted another 10 victims including a customer who went there to buy farm produce and a 24-year old graduated of Ladoke Akintola University and a Togolese.
They were later released after they paid N2 million ransom and a bottle of Johnny Walker Red label for their freedom.
While the issue of Epe yet to be settled, the kidnappers moved to another community called White Sand in Isheri Oshun, a Lagos suburb.
Some of the residents had to flee from their houses owing to the incessant abduction and kidnapping in the area.
Before then, many victims have lost their lives and some lost huge money which they paid as ransom.
Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers who usually come with canoes through a water way, abducted both adults and children and obtained ransom from their relations, and where their relations failed to pay, such victim usually sent to early grave or seriously injured.
Following the incessant kidnapping, the farmers in Epe recently stormed governor’s office in Alausa, Ikeja on a peaceful protest to the governor.
They pleaded with Governor Akinwumi Ambode to help strengthen the security in the town as it appeared they are no longer safe due to kidnappers.
Though, the governor through his representative promised to tackle the menace, the statement seemed to have triggered the kidnappers to show their strength at Abule Ado area of Festac Town where they abducted and kidnapped a senior military officer and escaped.
The officer, simply identified as Diya, was abducted in a broad daylight on 20 February by some gunmen who shot sporadically and forced him into their SUV and drove off despite the retinue of security personnel guarding him.
This incident led to a reprisal attack by the military who mobilised their men and attempted to flush out the suspects who had already escaped through the waterway by boats.
Meanwhile, Chief Ganiu Adam’s faction of the OPC has declared war on kidnappers and said they will join hands with other security agents to flush the kidnappers out of the state.