50 people were feared dead on Thursday night when militants swooped on Elepete and Igbo Olomu communities, the borderline communities in Lagos/Ogun State.
The killings followed the killing of another 15, six days ago.
A large number of the victims were said to be landlords in the area, who were reported to be keeping security watch over the communities, due to incessant armed robbery attacks, Elombah.com was told.
A source who was a landlord but pleaded anonymity said his colleagues landlords made bonfires in strategic points with a view to checking incessant attacks by robbers. But, tragedy struck when the militants who were coming from where they had gone to perpetrate their illegal business, mistook the landlords for law enforcement agents and went on a shooting spree.
The source said that 30 dead bodies have been accounted for from various points, and that many residents have fled the communities for safety.
Residents in the area lamented that the militants had threatened to attack the communities on reprisal attacks over the death of their colleagues few weeks ago.
The residents have therefore blamed security operatives for alleged negligence resulting to loss of lives of residents and landlords.
A resident who spoke with newsmen said only the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Airforce could tackle the menace of these criminals, but these were all “missing in action”.
“The militants came out from the creek and attacked the communities around 11p.m on Thursday night. We were outside keeping vigil over incessant armed robbery attacks. We had bonfires in some areas and the militants, having sighted the bonfires, opened fire on anyone on sight.
“The whole communities have already been deserted. We need the presence of the Nigerian Army, Airforce and Navy to curtail the excesses of these militants,” he said.
Another source said since the first attack which led to death of 15 persons in the communities, schools in the areas have been closed down while business activities were paralyzed.
The source who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity said residents of the affected communities are fleeing their houses and that the whole areas were already deserted.
However, the Ogun State Police Command said only two people were killed by suspected militants who have been laying siege on the community.
The command’s image maker, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while speaking with our correspondent added said that the militants came from the creek to attack innocent residents and fled back.
Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, said the Police would try and fish out the criminals.
“Two have been confirmed dead. The militants came again and attacked the community. They came yesterday and attacked and went back to the creeks. We will only continue to try,” he said.