Ogun State deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, yesterday escaped death when invading militants engaged her security details in a gun battle at Ibafo, along Lagos – Ibadan expressway.

The deputy governor was on an inspection mission to some  communities between Ogun and Lagos states which were attacked recently when the incident happened.

Accompanied by the service chiefs in the state, she visited Imushin, Elepete and Igbo-Olomu to reassure residents of the commitment of the authorities to providing adequate security for lives and property.

But things took dangerous turn at Akoka Ebute area of Ibafo, in Obafemi-Owode local government area when suspected militants opened fire on the security operatives that accompanied the deputy governor.

However, the gun battle which lasted for about 20 minutes left no casualties.

Disturbed by the militants attacks, traditional rulers from the affected communities went on a “save our souls” mission yesterday and held a meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, in Abeokuta.

After the meeting, a state delegation by the deputy governor visited the affected communities.

As an 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.

It was gathered that the security operatives, comprising soldiers and policemen‎, responded swiftly and repelled the suspected militants, who later retreated deeper into the creeks and escaped in the process.

Reacting to the gun battle, the SSG expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the affected communities and called for urgent Federal Government’s assistance.

Adeoluwa said, “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. 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.”

Speaking with reporters , the Baale of Akoka Ebute, Ibafo, Chief Folorunso Balogun, said the community had been deserted.

Balogun, who disclosed that a couple was abducted by the suspected militants yesterday, appealed to the Federal Government to deploy more troops to the area.

Leadership……

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