Sanwo-Olu vows kidnappers of Fouani brothers will be arrested
- Rev. Akanji and Gov. Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy call
By Emma Ogbuehi
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, vowed to arrest those behind the recent kidnapping of three Lebanese nationals, including the Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited, Muhammed Fouani.
Sanwo-Olu, who said his government will not condone people of evil intentions, assured Lagos residents, particularly business owners and religious tourists, of adequate security in the state, saying his administration was committed to making the State peaceful, attractive and homely.
The governor gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Revd. Israel Akanji, and his entourage at the Lagos House, Alausa, on Wednesday.
While confirming the kidnapping and release of the three Lebanese, Sanwo-Olu said the incident happened on the big water on their way to Ikorodu and not around Five Cowry in Falomo, as reported.
He said, “The security of life and property is paramount, and we do not leave anything to chance on that. The very recent incident that happened in Lagos was about the kidnapping of three members of our Lebanese community. We are happy that they have been released, and this morning (Wednesday), I met with them, and we have useful information to ensure that the perpetrators of the act are not going to be spared.
READ ALSO: Police confirm rescue of abducted Fouani brothers, two others
“We have an idea of how far they have gone, and we will do everything to ensure that we do not give them a space in our city and state. I want to assure all our citizens and businesses, both national and international, that Lagos will continue to remain safe and peaceful. People thought the incident happened around the Five Cowry, Falomo. No, it actually happened on the big water on the way to Ikorodu. So they were not even around Falomo.
“We want to assure you that we are on top of it. The security operatives are combing all the necessary areas. This is a strong signal that Lagos will not condone such people with evil intentions. They do not deserve any sort of recognition. So, we will continue to make Lagos peaceful. We will continue to make it attractive and homely. We will continue to ensure that businesses thrive. We will ensure people live and work in a conducive environment.”
The Police had earlier claimed that the Lebanese brothers were rescued from their abductors.
But many Nigerians were not convinced since the police were mum on the fate of the abductors after the successful “rescue mission.”
Speaking on their alleged rescue on Tuesday, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who said the victims had since been taken to their residence in Lagos, claimed the abducted brothers identified as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani, were rescued late Monday night in Orugbo Iddo by the marine police.
“They were rescued late last night in Orugbo Iddo. Our marine police with the support of the Nigerian Navy brought them to shore,” he said.
“Thereafter, our tactical team in the area took them home on Banana Island in the early hours of today. Five of them, three Lebanese, the boat captain and his assistant.”
Fouani Nigeria Limited specialises in electronics and is the sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products in Nigeria.
The kidnap unsettled many in the Lagos business community.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, while responding to the request of the Nigerian Baptist Convention to host the annual Baptist World Alliance in Nigeria for the first time in over a century, promised to ensure a safe and delightful experience for all foreign religious tourists coming to Lagos next month for the convention, noting that religious organisations are stakeholders in governance.
He said, “Nigeria and Lagos are ready to host the world. We believe it is a thing of joy and celebration to be acknowledged and identified with not only the African body but the global body of the Baptist Convention.
“We want to assure all the international visitors that will be coming that Lagos State Government will support you. We will ensure that we provide additional security in and around the hotel environment so that everybody will feel safe and will also taste the hospitality of Lagos.”
Speaking earlier, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend Akanji, commended the giant strides of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, especially in food and transport palliatives for residents during these economic challenges in the country.
“We want to appreciate a lot of reforms going on in Lagos State. We want to thank you for the transportation. Rail transportation has brought a lot of conveniences to our people. We want to thank you for your consideration concerning the staggering number of days of work for staff. That has brought relief to so many of our people. We want to thank you for your proactiveness all the time when it has to do with health care. We also thank you for the security in Lagos State,” he said.
Reverend Akanji, who is the President of the African Baptist Convention, solicited the support of the Lagos State Government to host the annual Baptist World Alliance, which has its headquarters in the United States of America.