Mr Fatai Owoseni, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, said the command was working with sister security agencies to arrest the suspected militants that killed four policemen, an army captain and a civilian today.
Owoseni said this while responding to the killings by the militants in Isawo area of Ikorodu in Lagos state.
His statement, the first by any top security official clarified earlier reports that two soldiers were killed.
The commissioner said that the officers were killed while trying to rescue some people abducted by the unidentified gunmen.
“At about 1a.m of today Sunday April 9, the Police received distress call that a group of militants/kidnappers had entered Owutu-Isawo in Ikorodu through the thick swampy forest surrounding the area.
“They were reported to have kidnapped some residents. In response, the Police and the Army immediately mobilised personnel to the area, where the kidnapped victims were rescued.
“Sadly, however, five out of the gallant, brave and patriotic officers lost their lives during the rescue operation. One of them is a Nigerian Army Captain, while the remaining four are Policemen. One of the residents in the area also died.
“We pray that the God Almighty reward their loyalty to the Nation with Paradise and grant their souls peaceful rest.
“We also pray that God gives their respective families the courage to bear the loss,” Owoseni said.
“The Command will like to assure the public that with synergy from sister security agencies, the criminal elements involved in this dastardly act shall be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“ We will continue to rely on the good people of Lagos State for useful information and their partnership,” he said.
The commissioner said that the officers were killed while trying to rescue some people abducted by the unidentified gunmen, stressing that one army Captain and a civilian were among the six persons killed.