LAGOS—Residents ofFestac Town in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos were  yesterday, rattled by sporadic gun shots from the creeks on 7th Avenue which lasted several hours.

The shooting as gathered ,were from militants suspected to have raided two banks on 7th Avenue, where a nursing mother was felled by stray bullets, last month.

The militants were reportedly at the verge of vandalising a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC  but the attempt was foiled, as a joint team of military men and police officers from Area ‘E’ ‘Command, Festac, who got wind of their presence swooped on them, thereby leading to a gun battle which reportedly forced the militants to bolt away.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the security agents routed the militants hideout discovered in the creeks.

Apprehensive residents who concluded that the shooting could be another bank robbery, reportedly sent text messages to their relations and security agencies. Most of those living within the coastal area , reportedly fled their abode, while others remained indoors for the better part of the day, for fear of being hit by stray bullet.

Police sources hinted that the joint operation which lasted until 3.30pm was led by Area ‘E’ Commander and Festac Divisional Police Officer.

Police sources described the shooting simply as a joint operation with the military, saying there was no cause for alarm. The operation as gathered, would continue until criminals were completely dislodged from the creeks. It was also gathered that the operation was not restricted to the waterways around Festac Town alone.

As at 4pm, the military, comprising men of the OP MESSA and the Navy were combing other coastline areas,while the policemen returned to their respective jurisdictions.

According to a senior police officer at Area ‘E’ command, “There is no cause to fear. The shooting is not from robbers as speculated. It is a Joint operation between the Military and the Police. It is aimed at sending warning to miscreants that this place is a no go area.“

Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Joe Offor, confirmed the shooting. He explained that “there was shooting from the creeks early this morning (yesterday). Police and the Military entered the place to beef up security,“ he said, adding that no arrest was made.