Ogun Deputy governor convoy Attacked By Militants

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.
Vanguard 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.”