Breaking: Lagos Fire Service chief, others kidnapped

Kidnappers on Saturday night whisked away the Lagos State Fire Service Director Rasaki Musibau and about nine others along the Epe-Itokin road, Ikorodu.

The incident, it was gathered, occurred while the fire chief and others were returning to Lagos from Epe.

The Nation learnt that the kidnappers had blocked the Itokin bridge, ambushing occupants of a Sienna, Corolla and a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

In another incident, residents alleged occupants of an interstate bus were also kidnapped after the vehicle dropped off some passengers along the road.

A resident, who spoke to The Nation, said the interstate bus had stopped to drop off a passenger at Ejirin, adding that some other persons standing on the road joined the vehicle enroute Lagos.

“It happened on Saturday evening. It was around 7pm. It was on one of these instate buses that ply that route. The bus stopped to drop off passengers and some people entered.

“But unknown to the driver and passengers, those who entered the bus were kidnappers and they took them to unknown destination.

“It was a separate incident from that of the fire service director. The man and some others were coming from Epe to Lagos when the kidnappers ambushed them and took them away. This area is gradually turning to something else.

“We are worried because we know how bad it was then when farmers and their employees were being kidnapped daily. These boys are gradually starting again.
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“We are calling on the authorities to act fast before it is too late,” said the source.

But the police denied any commercial bus was involved, adding the total number of those affected were seven occupants of a Toyota Sienna, Corolla and an Opel SUV.

Saturday’s kidnap has sent shivers down the spine of residents of the axis who have experienced respite from incessant kidnappings and another armed banditry just recently.

Prior to the latest incident, it was gathered that the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman Samson Ajijedidun was kidnapped by the criminals on March 1 and only released after ransom was paid.

Contacted, police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said seven persons including the fire service boss were kidnapped from three vehicles.

Elkana said: “They are seven persons not nine. They were not in a bus. We are just coming from the scene now. The Commissioner of Police Zubairu Muazu visited the scene.

“They were in three different vehicles, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla and Opel jeep.

“We searched and saw some items belonging to the victims, one of them is the Lagos Fire Service Director.

“Investigation has commenced into this incident. The CP has also deployed Special Forces and tasked them to rescue the victims, arrest the perpetrators. Effort is ongoing.”