Residents of communities around Isawo in Ikorodu have urged the Lagos and Ogun States governments to clear the heavy bush in the communities as a way of putting an end to the constant attacks from milltants.
The residents of the Lagos community also told the Metro on Monday that a resident was as at Monday afternoon still missing, while a boy was still in the custody of the milltants
Some of the residents, who have abandoned their homes following the Sunday attack on security men, also said that the milltants were regrouping around Majidun in Lagos and Elepete in Ogun State.
They also appealed to the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to personally visit the communities and assess the situation himself.
A resident, who simply identified himself as Mr Sile said “as you can see, peace is returning to the community but there is more to be done if the government want us to enjoy a lasting peace.”
He continued that “the government should clear the bush at the back of Wood Island, where the river links Majidun area of Ikorodu. That is what the milltants are hiding under to attack the security men.”
Sile also stated that “The best thing is for the Lagos State government to clear the bush from here to Majidun and the Ogun State government to clear the bush from Elepete down to Arepo.”
“That is where the militants are regrouping now and they are taking advantage of the bush to invade our communities and to attack the security operatives” Sile said
Another resident of the community, who identified himself as Mr Olanrewaju said “apart from the policemen and the soldiers, a boy and a man, who were residents of this community were also killed.”
The resident also said that the divisional police officer in charge of the Owutu division, who had come to rescue some abducted residents was also injured in the late Sunday gin attack.
Meanwhile, security personnel on Monday afternoon deserted Yewa communities thereby creating more fears on the mind of residents.
The state police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni had on Sunday assured the residents of their safety and added that the police would deploy more personnel to the community.
Raheem Olanrewaju, a resident of of Yewa community told the Metro on Monday that the kidnappers were as at Monday evening yet to contact the parents of the abducted boy on how much ransom to be paid.
He also added that the resident called a member of the community and demanded for #3000 naira recharge card to make ‘urgent calls’.
The resident said “a boy was kidnapped and they are yet to get back to us to tell us how much ransom we should bring.”
Another resident of the community, who spoke under the condition of anonymity said “the military should clear the whole bush in the whole of Yewa and establish a military base here.”