Residents lament as kidnapping rate increases in Lagos

Kidnapping appears to be on the rise in Lagos State as kidnappers rake in millions of Naira on a daily basis from residents especially the rich and wealthy among them, who now sleep with one eye open in the State.

NationalDaily investigation shows that
for the past few weeks, kidnappers have been having funfair across the State while raking in huge sums of money as ransom thereby exposing the security lapses in Lagos State.

The kidnappers were said to be making so much money, both in local and foreign currencies being paid as ransom by helpless victims in the ever-busy business districts and residential enclaves in the State.

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Some of the top victims included business mogul and owner of Globus conglomerate, who was allegedly kidnapped at Okota area and kept in captivity while the abductors demanded for N100m ransom before he will be released or they will kill him if the family refused to pay the money.

While the negotiations on his 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 last week.

According to Police sources, the owner of the megastar hotel and bar was kidnapped as he was entering his house at Ali Dada area in Ijegun.

The kidnappers reportedly laid siege at his gate and as he was entering his house, they flashed their light from their RS 350 Lexus car. Last week also, the owner of an eatery identified as Nobis, was 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.

At Governor’s Road in Ikotun, the kidnappers shot sporadically for almost 30 minutes without the visibility of any security agencies.

In the ensuing confusion, a businessman identified as Chimex and three others were kidnapped and kept in captivity until each of them paid N4m before they were released. It was the same story at Igando, Idimu, Gowon Estate in Egbeda, Agege areas of Lagos, where victims were helplessly kidnapped and forced to pay huge ransom before they were released.

While the Police were said to be battling to apprehend the gangs that have been terrorizing Lagos residents, the 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 will target such victims and kill them.

Investigations however, revealed that the members of the syndicate operate between 8pm and 11pm to get their target and usually move in exotic vehicles to get their targets in violent style and instill fear in the victims.

It was gathered 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 organized and appear to have over-powered the security agencies in the area.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has as well reacted and stated that the Police were very much aware of the kidnappings going on in the State and were taking decisive actions to round them up.

He explained that the Commissioner of Police 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 it appears to be a tall order that has no fruits yet as the kidnappers struck at Lanre Bus Stop on Thursday evening, kidnapped victims and escaped.