Gunmen (file photo used only for illustrative purpose)
The Heavily armed gunmen suspected to be militants reportedly invaded communities in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State yesterday.
During the invasion, the armed men were reportedly shooting sporadically with many people feared dead afterwards.
According to Leadership, it was gathered that the residents scampered to safety as markets, streets, businesses were deserted.
The gunmen were said to have struck worst hit areas like Elegbete and some neighbouring communities on Monday between 9.00am and 10.00am robbing from one house to the other .
As sound of gunshots pervaded the communities schools and businesses were hurriedly shut by their owners to avert being caught in the invasion.
A resident in Igbolomu who gave his name as Uduimoh Ipeakhai, said streets in the areas were now deserted as people fled home, adding that schools, shops, markets and other businesses centres in the areas were now like ghost town as people deserted them.
Parents were said to hurriedly ran to schools to take their children home while the police and army have taken over the area to provide security.
An eye witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity said the militants invaded a school in the area, but allowed the children to go unhurt, warning them not to return to school again.
Residents fleeing Elegbete area said they are doing so because they do not know when the militants would launch another attack. The fleeing residents were seen carrying their loads, mattresses.
Although unconfirmed source had it that 13 people were killed in the attack by the militants who gained access through the creeks and water bodies in Ikorodu.
Police source told journalists that the attack was allegedly carried out by the Ijaw boys. who invaded the area, saying the Commissioner of Police had deployed large number of mobile policemen to the area to maintain peace.
It was learnt that three Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC, have been deployed to the troubled area as military men and the police were seen with guns patrolling the area.
Confirming the attack, Police Public Relations Officer,(PPRO), Dolapo Badmos said everything was now in control.