Ogun dep gov escapes death as militants attack convoy

Ogun State Deputy Governor,
Chief Yetunde Onanuga, yesterday, escaped
death in Ibafo in Obafemi-Owode when
suspected Niger Delta militants engaged the
security teams accompanying her to some
borderline communities between Ogun and
Lagos states, which were sacked by militants. The
deputy governor accompanied by the service
chiefs in the state had embarked on an
inspection visit to Imushin, Elepete and Igbo-
Olomu where some people were killed by
suspected militants when the incident happened.
Onanuga was said to have been asked by
Governor Ibikunle Amosun to visit the place to
reassure residents of the commitment of the
authorities towards providing adequate security
for lives and property.

But the situation changed at Akoka Ebute area of
Ibafo, in Obafemi-Owode Local Government
Area when suspected militants opened fire on
the security operatives that accompanied the
deputy governor.

However, there was no casualty during the gun
battle which lasted for about 20 minutes.
Scores of people last Friday lost their lives when
the militants launched violent attacks on some
communities in the state.

Worried by the militants attacks, traditional
rulers from the affected communities went on a
“save our souls” mission yesterday and held a
meeting with the Secretary to the State
Government, SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa, in Abeokuta.
After the meeting, a state delegation led by the
deputy governor visited the affected
communities.

As an advance security team was approaching the
Ibafo creeks where the suspected militants were
believed to be hiding, a barrage of gunfire
ensued, forcing the law enforcement agents to
take cover.

Smart360news gathered that the security operatives,
comprising soldiers and policemen , responded
swiftly and repelled the suspected militants, who
later retreated deeper into the creeks and
escaped in the process.

The state delegation later made a detour from
the troubled area after the deputy governor had
assured the residents of commitment to their
safety.

Reacting to the gun battle, the SSG expressed
concern over the deteriorating security situation
in the affected communities and called for
urgent Federal Government’s assistance.

He said the exchange of gunfire between the
security operatives and the daredevil criminals
in broad daylight was regrettable.

Adeoluwa said, “It is a thing of regret that things
have gone so bad in our country; at this level,
the teams led by the deputy governor of the
state were not able to have access to a part of
our state. It means that without mincing words,
the Federal Government needs to get involved
in this.

“This is something that is beyond the capacity of
the police. We need military task force like the
one we have in Niger Delta; It’s necessary and
desirable. As we can see in Elepete, Igbo-Olomu
and Imagbon, nothing can be compared with the
violence here in Ibafo.”