Residents of Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos State, say they now live in palpable fear following the return of militants who are terrorising people in the area.

The militants, mostly kidnapers and pipeline vandals, were chased out of the area in August last year following bloody clashes in the community.

Scores of people were killed in 2016 during clashes between militants and residents of Isawo community, leading to the deployment of a joint military taskforce in the area.

Residents said many of the hoodlums had returned to Isawo and neighbouring communities, robbing and terrorising residents.

Reacting to the development, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the command was re-strategising the security arrangements in the state, including Ikorodu area.

Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said more police patrol teams would be deployed in the area, and urged residents to provide useful information on the activities of the hoodlums.

Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, said he had not had any report yet to suggest that militants were back in those areas.

“But Lagos State Governor has approved the return of swamp buggies to open up the creeks in those areas to enable us carry out in-depth patrols,” he said.

The swamp buggy is a motor vehicle used to traverse boggy swamp terrain.

Buggies are able to move about on dry land, shallow mud, sand, shallow water and deep mud.

Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, on Aug. 4, 2016 visited Isawo creeks in Ikorodu neighbourhood over the activities of militants.