Security agents, vandals clash in Lagos

There was pandemonium on Sunday at the Majidun area of Ikorodu, Lagos State after some security agents stormed a vandals’ hideout.
Eyewitnesses claimed that some of the security agents, comprised of operatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were shot at by the vandals.
It was also alleged that the security agents, returned gunfire-for-gunfire.
The eyewitness claimed that a security agent was killed, but there was no official confirmation to that effect.
It was further gathered that the agents stormed the creeks around the community, impounding several ferries loaded with petroleum products.
Another eyewitness said he sighted some vandals who were arrested and later whisked away by the agents.
The clampdown on the suspected vandals started at about 2am.
A lady, Funmi, said that most of the young men in the community bolted, fearing they may be arrested for a crime they did not commit.
Funmi added: “Most of the perpetrators ran away, while some of them were arrested.
“Two days ago, I noticed that a helicopter hovered around here for five hours.
“Since then, I’ve been expecting something like this.”
The security men did not only storm the scene armed to the teeth, they also came with a naval helicopter.
It was also learnt that the helicopter made an aerial sweep of the community before the men embarked on the massive arrest and combing of the area for gallons of fuel.
“We really don’t what happened, but we heard that soldiers and vandals were fighting. Some people even said the vandals killed a soldier,” said a resident.
“The altercation caused heavy traffic jam from Agric to Majidun as the uniformed men also ransacked motorists.”
The security agents allegedly accosted some commercial operators and passersby who also went to the creeks to collect fuel.
Recovered gallons of fuel were offloaded from ferries into trucks.
No fewer than five trucks loaded with petroleum products were recovered.
The NSCDC spokesman in Lagos State, Mefor Chibuzor, confirmed the operation.
Chibuzor said the corps was alerted on Sunday morning, adding that the security agencies would continue oppressing vandals until they desist from tampering with the pipelines.
He said: “Some vandals have been arrested while thousands of kegs loaded with petroleum products were recovered.
“The creeks were busted following an intelligence report.
“We will continue to run after the vandals until they stop destroying the government property across the waters.”