The family members of three of the policemen killed by suspected vandals in the Ishawo, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, have besieged the Owutu Police Station to demand the corpses of their relatives.
The family members, who arrived at the station around 7am, on Tuesday said they wanted the urgent intervention of the police authorities in the situation.
The affected policemen were identified as Inspector Yerima Yakubu, Corporal Adakuro Peredigha, Sergeant Obi Chukwudi and Sergeant Okoh Endurance. While Yakubu, Peredigha and Endurance were attached to the Owutu Police Division, Chukwudi came from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
A police source, however, told Punch correspondent that Endurance was still being treated at a general hospital, adding that he was not dead. “He did not die. He sustained gunshot injuries in his leg and that was all,” he added.
He said, “It was a rowdy scene this morning at the station. The wives and family members of the policemen came to the division and said they will not leave without seeing their loved ones, dead or alive. “They were abusing everyone and almost stoned us. The DPO had to calm the situation.”
A source in the community told PUNCH Metro that the tension in the community had yet to subside.
He said policemen who passed the area disguised to avoid being attacked. He said, “The police are not patrolling the area as expected because everyone is afraid. In fact, policemen are currently wearing mufti in the community so that the Ijaw youths will not attack them. The tension is high.”
The leader of a local vigilance group, who did not identify himself, told Punch correspondent that his group was ready to team up with the police and recover the seized corpses. Meanwhile...
Police deny death of officers
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, on Tuesday said there was no confirmation of the death of three policemen in the vandals’ attack in the Ikorodu area of the state. He added that the police had yet to recover any corpse in the incident.
The CP, who acknowledged that three cops were missing, said efforts were on to know their fate, adding that a manhunt had been launched for the militants. He said,
“The police encountered some militants in the Owutu area of Ikorodu, Lagos, at about 3am on Monday. It is known that the militants operate along the Niger Delta, Ondo State, and Ikorodu area. In their usual bravado, they have a hatred for anyone in uniform.
“The militants were travelling in a bus at the time and encountered seven policemen who were posted on pin-down at Owutu. On sighting the policemen, the militants opened fire on them. The policemen were quick to respond and repelled the unprovoked attack. A policeman, who was shot in the leg, is being treated.
“In the heat of the gunfire, the gunmen beat a retreat, having been inflicted with varying degrees of gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, the command is on the lookout for three of its personnel who were discovered missing after the encounter, while a manhunt is on for the fleeing felons.
“We wish to appeal to members of the public to volunteer useful information and report cases of persons with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station.”
-Punch
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