KINGSLEY EBERE
Recent cases of high profile forceful abduction is becoming alarming and equally reminiscent of the activities of kidnappers in the year 2014, when some rich and wealthy Lagosians were targeted in the wave of kidnapping back then.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that 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 of Kings Oil and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Dapsey Petrol Station, Chief Oladapo Wasiu Coker.
Chief Coker was monitored and kidnapped on 22nd September, 2014, at Lanre Bus Stop area of Igando, Lagos State and was eventually released on 1st October, 2014, after his family paid ransom of N20 million to his captors.
Just as witnessed at the height of kidnappings in 2014, Lagosians are once again experiencing spike in similar scenarios and commando style of kidnapping of the rich and known business magnates. Residents are now living in fear as criminals rake in millions of Naira in ransom from wealthy victims.
Recently, kidnappers were said to have abducted several high-profile individuals, including a business mogul, who was allegedly kidnapped in Okota and held captive for several days until his family paid N30m ransom before he was released.
The kidnapping of victims, which included the owner of Solid Rang Hotel, Nobis, Chimex and three others, for which various ransom was paid, may have forced the Police to tighten security across the State.
PMEXPRESS findings revealed that the Police have strategically mounted surveillance in some areas in Okota, at the busy Governor’s Road in Ikotun, where kidnappers shot sporadically for almost 30 minutes without the visibility of any security agencies.
Also the Police presence were seen in Ejigbo, Ijegun, Egbeda, Igando Gowon estate, Idimu and other places.
Before the recent Police presence, 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.
However, the Police may have gotten the formula to apprehend the gangs, which may have forced the syndicate to retreat temporarily.
The difference between kidnapping incidents 2023 and 2014, is that in 2014, there was a gallant Police officer and Crime fighter, SP Abba Kyari then, who combated and reduced the spate of kidnappings in Lagos State.
Chief Oladapo Wasiu Coker was later rescued and some of the gang leaders, which included Chukwuma Kingsley, Victor Igah, Kelvin Igah and wife, Ogechi, were arrested at their two bedroom apartment located at No. 18 Odeniyi Ishola Street, off Bola Road, Isheri Osun, Lagos, where they held victims hostage including Chief Coker and collected N20 million ransom from him.
Chief Oladapo Wasiu Coker narrated his ordeal then and noted that it was the same Lanre Bus Stop in Igando, where he was kidnapped that many victims were recently kidnapped.
Coker recalled: “The kidnappers demanded for one million dollar ransom or they will transfer me to Bayelsa State, where they said they would butcher and sell my body parts, as one hand sold for N6 Million”.
The second victim and owner of Kings Oil, Ikotun, Lagos, Alhaji Hammed Fashola, was lucky that he was still negotiating with the kidnappers when Police stormed the enclave and rescued him.
However, it appears that the Police is on the top of the situation as the Police high authorities were said to have summoned all the tactical teams and given them marching orders to arrest the members of the syndicate as the residents were still living in fear.