In a dramatic operation, the Lagos State Police Command has rescued 27 foreign nationals who were allegedly kidnapped and confined in an apartment in the Isheri Oshun area of the state. The victims—18 men and nine women from Ghana and the Benin Republic—were discovered following a distress call to the police Complaint Response Unit (CRU), which set off a swift rescue mission.
Lagos Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, made the revelation during a press briefing on Monday, shedding light on what appears to be a case of transnational human trafficking.
According to Hundeyin, one of the victims managed to contact the CRU, desperately reporting that she and others had been lured into the country under false promises of employment but were instead held captive 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 was not allowed to leave,” Hundeyin stated.
Upon receiving the call, officers from the nearest divisional police station stormed the apartment and successfully rescued all 27 victims. Preliminary investigations indicate that they may have been trafficked for forced labor or other illicit purposes.
“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,” Hundeyin assured.
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally disturbing incident, the police have arrested a couple, Emmanuel and Mazioma Okafor, for allegedly kidnapping an online vendor who had gone to deliver a product in the Iyana Ishashi area of Lagos.
The victim, whose name remains undisclosed for security reasons, had received an order for an item and proceeded to the given address. However, upon arrival, she was ambushed, forcibly dragged inside the house, and subjected to a horrifying ordeal.
“The suspects stripped her naked, assaulted her, and took compromising pictures. They then demanded a ransom of N2 million, threatening to leak the images if she failed to comply,” the police spokesperson explained.
Fearing for her safety, the victim managed to transfer N300,000 to the captors, who released her with a warning to pay the balance or face public humiliation. Summoning the courage to report the crime, she alerted the police, leading to a swift investigation and the subsequent arrest of the couple.
Both suspects are now in custody and are expected to face charges related to kidnapping, extortion, and assault.
These two incidents underscore the growing menace of human trafficking and organized kidnapping in Lagos. While the police’s quick response has led to significant breakthroughs, authorities have reiterated their commitment to dismantling syndicates involved in these heinous crimes.
Lagos State residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. As investigations continue, the rescued victims are receiving medical attention and counseling to aid their recovery.
The Lagos State Police Command has assured the public that all suspects involved in both cases will face the full wrath of the law, sending a strong message to criminal elements operating in the state.
PIONEER NEWS 