Police rescue 27 Ghanaian, Benin Republic nationals after a distress call
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Police have rescued 27 foreigners –18 males, nine females from Ghana and Benin Republic – allegedly kidnapped and kept in an apartment in the Isheri Oshun area of Lagos after being lured with false job offers.
Lagos Police Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed that the operation followed a distress call received by the Complaint Response Unit from one of the victims who reported that she and others were being held against their will.
“Somebody reached out to the Complaint Response Unit of the Lagos Police Command and complained that she had been kidnapped in an apartment and not allowed to leave the apartment,” Hundeyin said.
“The CRU contacted the Divisional Police Officer covering the area and raced to the place and upon getting to the apartment and breaking into it, a total number of 27 foreigners were found in the apartment.”
The rescued individuals comprised 18 males and nine females from Ghana and the Republic of Benin.
Hundeyin said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims had been lured into the country under the pretext of securing jobs for them.
“We are currently investigating whether Lagos was their final destination or if they were being trafficked to another country. However, they are now safe and in our custody.”
Police arrest couple over abduction of female online vendor
In a related development, police also arrested a couple for allegedly kidnapping an online vendor who went to deliver a product in the Iyana Ishashi area of Lagos.
Hundeyin said the incident was reported on Sunday by the victim, who alleged that she was abducted while attempting to make a delivery.
“The victim received a request for a product and proceeded to the customer’s house in Iyana Ishashi. Upon arrival, the door was opened, and she was forcibly dragged inside by a man and a woman. The suspects were later identified as Emmanuel and Mazioma Okafor,” Hundeyin narrated.
According to him, after seizing the victim, the couple allegedly stripped her naked and assaulted her, took her nude pictures and demanded a ransom of N2 million for her release, threatening to leak the images if she failed to pay up.
“She managed to pay N300,000 that day, which allowed her to regain her freedom. However, she was warned that if she did not pay the balance, her pictures would be released.
“The victim subsequently reported the incident to the police, leading to an immediate investigation. This led to the arrest of the suspects.”
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