Gunmen have again stormed Epe area of Lagos and attempted to abduct eight persons.
The attack which was rebuffed by policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led to the destruction of a patrol vehicle.
The gunmen were said to have opened fire at the patrol van, shattering all its glasses and tyres, but four victims who were abducted as well as four others who were earlier kidnapped were freed by the policemen who held the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle.
It was gathered that the kidnappers, wielding sophisticated weapons, stormed Igbodu area of Epe yesterday and unleashed terror on the helpless residents, abducting five farm workers at Elysian Farms.
Sources said that the attack might have been triggered off by Monday’s protest by residents and farmers of Igbodu and Isiwo in Epe to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s office over incessant abductions.
But unlike previous incursions, the kidnappers met policemen and some soldiers.
Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who debunked the abduction of four persons however confirmed that there was a shootout between gunmen and RRS policemen.
He said a police patrol van was destroyed by the gunmen who were determined to escape with their victims.
