A Lagos resident, Mrs Ibironke Ilara, has cried out over a series of threats to life, calling on the authorities to act.
Speaking to newsmen, the wife of a politician, Prince Idowu Ilara, said the most recent attack occurred on March 15, 2022.
She recalled that in the last quarter of 2021, gunmen broke into the family house on Atilade Adebowale drive, off Rasheed Barbara in Fagba, Lagos.
Although no one was at home during the invasion, properties and valuables were destroyed while the apartment had bullet holes.
“For safety, my husband and I had to take our children to live with family members. My husband is always on the run, hiding for his life.”
Speaking of the March incident, Mrs Ilara recalled getting a distress call to visit Lagos to attend to one of the kids feeling homesick because of the separation.
“I left Ibadan with my driver at about 5pm in a Toyota Highlander SUV. I sat at the back, head low. Before that day, I got a call from an unknown number, one of many around that time.”
“The person stated categorically that he knows my present location and gave a vivid description of my sister’s house where she was harbouring me.”
As the journey continued, she said they noticed a blue Honda Accord saloon car behind them for several minutes.
“We thought it was just another vehicle heading to Lagos, not until the car leveled up with fierce-looking men ordering us to pull over.
“My driver sensed danger and drove at top speed to lose them. They pursued us until we were about 15km to Sagamu bypass along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
“We saw a patrol van of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) stationed on the other side of the road facing Ibadan.
“Immediately we got almost opposite the officers, my driver stopped and advised that we to run into the bush for safety.
“We ran through for over twenty minutes, hearing the sound of heavy gunshots, until we got no signs of being chased.”
Mrs Ilara said after staying in the bush for close to an hour and sensing that the coast was clear, they trekked out and met the NSCDC team who had taken positions.
“We showed them our ID cards. By then, our vehicle had bullets and a broken windscreen. The officers told us that upon sighting them, the gang made a drive-by shooting.
“They explained that due to the u-turn they had to make to get to our side, the assailants sped away from the scene.”
Mrs Ilara added that the officers conveyed her to their office because of how traumatized she was, while the driver drove behind.
“One Officer Bayo took our statement with an assurance that the matter will be investigated and the culprits brought to book.”
The citizen confirmed that the incident was reported to the Police IG Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and a petition written to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Mrs Ilara appealed to the police to look into the matter, find the perpetrators and ensure that they face the law.
She said both the immediate and extended family were still traumatised and living in fear.
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