‘Army captain, four policemen killed while rescuing kidnapped persons’

Fatai Owoseni, commissioner of police in Lagos state, says the command is working with sister security agencies to arrest the suspected militants that killed four policemen, an army captain and a civilian in the Ikorodu area of the state.

Owoseni made the promise in a statement on Sunday while responding to the killings.

He said the officers were killed while trying to rescue some people abducted by unidentified gunmen.

“At about 1am of today Sunday April 9, the police received distress call that a group of militants/kidnappers had entered Owutu-Isawo in Ikorodu through the thick swampy forest surrounding the area,” he said.

“They were reported to have kidnapped some residents. In response, the police and the army immediately mobilised personnel to the area, where the kidnapped victims were rescued.

“Sadly, however, five out of the gallant, brave and patriotic officers lost their lives during the rescue operation. One of them is a Nigerian Army captain, while the remaining four are policemen. One of the residents in the area also died.

“We pray that the God Almighty reward their loyalty to the nation with paradise and grant their souls peaceful rest.

“We also pray that God gives their respective families the courage to bear the loss.

“The command will like to assure the public that with synergy from sister security agencies, the criminal elements involved in this dastardly act shall be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“We will continue to rely on the good people of Lagos state for useful information and their partnership.”