Suspected Niger Delta militants have killed five police officers and two soldiers in the Isawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos state. According to residents of the area, the attacks happened in the early hours of today April 9th. The militants most of whom are kidnappers and pipeline vandals, engaged the security agents in a fierce gun battle that started as early as 3am. Some of the militants were killed in the gun battle.

The Zone 2 Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the attack to LIB in a text message. See content of the message after the cut.

 "The zone received the report of the encounter between military/police and the kidnappers at the Isawo area. There were reports of casualties on both sides of the encounter. The AIG Zone 2 has put well coordinated intelligence team within the area and activated the anti-kidnapping section of the zone to work hand-in-hand with Lagos state to forestall a reorcurrence and ensure the arrest of fleeing hoodlums".