Armed men numbering at least 20 on Sunday attacked the Marine Police Post of the Lagos State Police Command in the Epe area and successfully sank a gunboat, after exchanging fire with policemen men for several minutes.
According to reports, the gang tried to steal the gunboat but were held back by the officers who defended themselves stoutly.
A police source stated that the robbers, who came in a speedboat to Marine Beach around 12.30am, riddled the station with bullets and sank the gunboat in the process.
“It was at about 12am that the militants invaded the Marine Police Post, Epe. Their mission was to kill the policemen and dismantle the security structures around the place so that they could embark on a bank robbery maybe on Monday.
“The gunfire lasted for several minutes, and the whole area was riddled with bullets. Eventually, they succeeded in sinking the gunboat. No policeman was killed but some might have been injured by the bullets,” he told The Punch.
Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni reportedly visited the station on Sunday to assess the level of damage.
Confirming the incident, State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor said the CP had directed that the gunboat be replaced and the Marine Beach area electrified.
While confirming that efforts are being made to recover the sunk gunboat, Offor said that banks in the area have been directed to continue with their operation as there is no cause for alarm.