A community in the coastal area of Ondo State, Gbagira, in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, was reportedly under siege following a clash with men of the Nigeria Navy and some suspected sea pirates.
It was gathered that Naval officers stormed the community on Thursday in search of some suspected sea pirates who kidnapped two foreigners.
According to a source, one of the suspected kidnappers was apprehended after rescuing the two foreigners from the captives of the kidnappers.
The source said the officers invaded the community to arrest other members of the group and the arms and ammunition used during the failed abduction.
He explained that residents of the community who were mainly fishermen were prevented from gaining entry into the community since Thursday evening.
He said the two kidnapped victims had been reunited with their families after being rescued by security operatives
He said: “The naval officers have been here since Thursday evening in search of the criminals and the ammunition used in the operation.
“The criminals are not here but they have been creating fear in Gbagira. They exchanged gunshot with some sea pirates on Thursday, while two foreigners were rescued.
“The two foreigners were rescued with the help of the community head while they arrested one of the suspected kidnappers but the officers have been tormenting our people in the village.
“They have been moving around looking for guns and ammunition used by the hoodlums while people cannot move to the sea to fish.”
He said the development has put other villages in the area under fear saying the waterways had been condoned, paralysing economic activities of the people in the area.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Femi Joseph, said he was not aware of the development.
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