Four abducted as millitants engage police in gun duel in Epe

There was a fierce shootout between operatives of the Rapid Response Squad and suspected    militants on Tuesday in Igbodu area of Lagos State, less than twenty four hours after the farmers protested at the state secretariat in Ikeja.

Four farm workers were feared abducted while four of the farm workers, who were last week abducted have regained their freedom from the kidnappers.

A patrol van, belonging to the RRS was damaged during the shootout between the police and the rampaging militants, who have kidnapped no fewer than fifty farm workers in the area.

The commissioner of police in Lagos State , Fatai Owoseni , who confirmed the Tuesday invasion of the farm denied that any worker was abducted and added that the police rescued the four workers, who were about to be taken away .

C P Owoseni also stated that the police facilitated the release of four of the seven workers, who were last week abducted one of the farms at the settlement.

A farm worker, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with the Metro said ‘the kidnappers came again this morning and abducted four of our workers, who were working at a neighbouring farm.”

He added that “the kidnappers saw some RRS policemen and they attacked the policemen and a gun battle ensued between the two of them. The kidnapers destroyed the police van.

When told that the four workers, who were abducted on Tuesday were rescued by the police, the farm worker said ‘I am not aware of that. I am only aware that four of those who were kidnapped last week escaped from the kidnappers.”

The state police boss stated that “again some   kidnappers went to Epe today but our men repelled them. We rescued four people, who were about to be abducted “

The police boss also stated that “we also rescued four of the workers, who were abducted last week “