Lagos state is not spared the brutality of dare-devil kidnappers who have been terrorising the residents. Of late, the dimension is getting heightened as OGUNTADE ISMAILA reports.
One of the remarkable cases then was the audacious kidnapping of wealthy business moguls in the oil and gas sector of the economy, such as the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Dapsey Petrol Station, Chief Oladapo Wasiu Coker, who was monitored and kidnapped on September 22nd, 2014 at Lanre Bus Stop area of Igando Lagos state and released October 1, 2014 after his family paid a ransom of N20 million to his captors.
Like the height of kidnappings in 2014, Lagosians are once again witnessing a spike in similar scenario.
With Kidnapping rising in Lagos state and Nigeria in general, residents are living in fear as criminals rake in millions of naira in ransom from wealthy victims.
Recent incidences
Recently, kidnappers were said to have abducted several high-profile individuals, including the owner of Globus Conglomerate who was allegedly kidnapped in Okota and held captive for a ransom of N100 million.
The owner of Solid Rang Hotel was also kidnapped in Email: ochima495@gmail.com
SMS: 08055001912 and released after paying N80 million in ransom.
Just recently too, the owner of an eatery identified as Nobis was also abducted and kept in an undisclosed location for several days before his family rallied round and raised N10m which they gave to the kidnappers before he was released.
According to reports, at the busy Governor’s Road in Ikotun, the kidnappers shot sporadically for almost 30 minutes without any interference from security agencies.
In the ensuing confusion, the report said a businessman identified as Chimex and three others were kidnapped and kept in captivity until each of them paid N4m before they were released.
While the negotiations on their release were still ongoing, the kidnapping syndicate struck again at Bucknor Estate in Ejigbo, kidnapped the owner of Solid Rang Hotel located at Grandmate Bus Stop in Ijegun. He was made to pay about N80m as ransom before his release.
The same story was reported at Igando, Idimu, Gowon Estate in Egbeda, and Agege areas of Lagos where victims have been helplessly kidnapped and forced to pay huge ransoms before they were released.
The kidnappers were said to be making so much money both in local and foreign currencies in the ever-busy business districts and residential enclaves in the state.
While the police was said to be battling to apprehend the gangs that have been terrorising the residents, members of the syndicate were said to have advanced in their sophistication on how to beat the police strategy during the operation.
The victims were said to have been warned not to divulge information on their nasty experience by the kidnappers otherwise they would target such victims and kill them thereafter.
Investigation however revealed that the members of the syndicate operate between 8pm and 11pm and usually in exotic vehicles to get their targets in violent style by instilling fears in them.
Further investigation revealed that Alimosho local government area is witnessing incessant kidnapping and it appears that there is no solution yet to apprehend the perpetrators, who were said to be more organised and appear to have over-powered the security agencies in the area.
Police reaction
The Lagos state Police Public Rela
ions Officer (PPRO) Benjamin Hundeyin has said that the police is aware and is taking decisive actions to round up the criminals.
He explained that the Commissioner of Police Idowu Ohowunwa has also summoned all the tactical teams and given them marching orders to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book without delay.
But this appears to be a tall order that has no fruits yet as the kidnappers struck at exactly the same Dapsey Petrol Station where its chairman , Chief Oladapo Wasiu Coker was kidnapped in 2014.
At the moment, the kidnappers have continued to strike with impunity, leaving residents living in fear.