A Lagos businessman, who was subjected to a terrifying ordeal after being abducted in Ago Palace Way, Lagos two weeks ago, has been released following a harrowing experience and the payment of a substantial N30 million ransom. The victim, whose identity has been concealed for his safety, recounted his ordeal, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding his abduction and the threats he faced from his captors.
The ordeal began when the businessman was ambushed by four hooded men while he was about to enter his car parked in the garage. This shocking incident took place at midnight in Ago Palace Way, Lagos. The assailants, who wielded firearms, rapidly cornered him and commenced shooting indiscriminately at his vehicle and other cars within his convoy.
The victim described his kidnappers as ruthless and fearless. They demanded an exorbitant ransom of N100 million for his release. With the assistance of family members and friends, a total of N30 million was raised, securing his eventual release.
The victim, identified as the middle-aged Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of his company, appealed passionately to protect his identity as his kidnappers had ominously threatened to come after him if he spoke about the incident. Nonetheless, he decided to share his story as a way to draw attention to the psychological trauma and torture he endured during his two-week captivity.
His narrative provided a chilling insight into the activities of the kidnappers. They boasted about their capabilities, declaring their intentions to take over Lagos while expressing a belief that the police could not match their firepower. The victim revealed, “They said that they decided to relocate to Lagos when they noticed that wealthy Igbo people in Lagos refused to come home for fear of being kidnapped. But now, they have landed in Lagos and both the police and any other security agency cannot withstand their firepower. They boasted that they will face the police, fire for fire, juju for juju, and nobody can stop them until all the wealthy Igbo people in Lagos pay through their noses. Their targets are Igbos.”
While in captivity, the victim faced physical abuse, being beaten with various weapons, and kept blindfolded. He was given minimal sustenance, limited to apples and water, due to his fear of being poisoned. The victim described the moment when one of his fellow captives negotiated with the kidnappers for ransom, ultimately leading to his release. The victim saw that the captors divided themselves into groups, with specific roles such as targeting victims, guarding them, and negotiating for ransom.
Following the payment of N30 million, the victim was released. He was left on a tarred road with his eyes still covered. His legs were tied during his captivity, and he struggled to regain his mobility after being freed. Fortunately, he managed to find help from a kind-hearted passerby and was returned to his residence in the Ikotun area of Lagos.
Remarkably, the victim stated that he had not received any visits from the police since his release, despite reports of gunfire during his abduction. Concerns were raised by residents of Ago Palace Way about the state of affairs at the Ago Police station. They alleged a lack of effective policing and communication regarding the rising crime rates in the area. Residents also mentioned the absence of patrol vehicles despite ongoing payments to keep them on the road.
It is believed that the gang of kidnappers often stationed themselves near speed breakers along Ago Palace Way, targeting individuals with flashy cars and tailing them to their destinations before launching their abductions. This has caused anxiety among wealthy residents in the area, some of whom have opted to relocate due to the escalating kidnapping cases in recent months.
