Ibafo, a popular residential area and the local government of origin of State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, has been invaded by suspected militants, fleeing residents say.
In the past month, robbery operations have become a daily and anticipated activity. It has also lately seen rapes and murders.
Numerous residents who pleaded anonymity told SaharaReporters that some parts of the community have surrendered to, and are not cooperating with the militants, and their local chief intimidated into silence. They further disclosed that the militants warned them to avoid taking their plight to the media in order to avoid total devastation.
“Two days ago, a landlord was killed, and his wife was raped”, said one of the residents, who has fled the community. He told us that the onslaught on Ikorodu community was “child’s play” [compared to Ibafon]. He added that the invaders have a camp where they daily brandish guns without challenge, throw daylight parties and play loud music.
“Nearly all the young ladies have been defiled. They also rape married women in the presence of their husbands”, another resident reported.
“We packed our luggage and lined up like refugees when we were leaving the community,” a woman said while describing their exodus from the area. She stated that at the last time she returned to pick other personal effects from their deserted house, their apartment had been overtaken by rodents.
“One landlord died [just] from the shock of hearing sound of repeated gunshots behind his house”, said a civil servant working at the Alausa Secretariat of Lagos State, who has also fled his home.
Policemen deployed to the area are also said to be taking advantage of the situation. One resident said they are visible everywhere on the roads but ignore the affected residential streets.
“You’d only see them stopping vehicles and extorting money,” the sad residents told our reporter.