TheCable

Suspected militants on Monday attacked the security team of Yetunde Onanuga, deputy governor of Ogun state.

They engaged Onaguga’s security team in a gun battle when she embarked on an inspection visit to borderline communities between Ogun and Lagos states‎ sacked by militants.

The incident happened at Akoka Ebute area of Ibafo in Obafemi-Owode local government area.

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

The security operatives, comprising soldiers and policemen‎, responded immediately and repelled the suspected militants, who later retreated deeper into the creeks and escaped.

The gun battle, which was said to have lasted for about 20 minutes, did not record any casualty.

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

Reacting to the incident, Taiwo Adeoluwa, secretary to the government of Ogun state, expressed concerns 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 suspects “in broad daylight” was regrettable.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Traditional rulers from the affected communities‎ had earlier met with Adeoluwa in Abeokuta.

The outcome of the meeting spurred the government to send a delegation, led by Onanuga, to visit the affected communities.