Kidnapped immigration officer’s wife freed

Operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the police have rescued Mrs. Ladi Abel, wife of a senior immigration officer, who was abducted along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

The 45-year-old was kidnapped on Monday while heading to the Trade Fair Complex in Ojoo, Lagos, to buy goods.

According to the NIS Public Relations Officer at the Seme Border Command, Isaac Elijah, Mrs. Abel was rescued around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday at No. 47, Ogunleye Street, a swampy area in Ibereko, Badagry.

He explained that the kidnappers escaped moments before security operatives closed in on them, after officers began a coordinated search from house to house in the area.

“It took the efforts of about 20 immigration officers, 25 police officers, and some good people of the Ibereko community to rescue the victim,” Elijah said.

“The DPO of Badagry Police Station, CSP Folajimi Akosile, led the operation that busted the syndicate’s hideout. Unfortunately, none of the suspects was arrested as they fled before we arrived.”

The victim’s husband, CSI Abel Mada, revealed that he had already paid N2.5 million out of the N3 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers before his wife was freed.

“They were shouting at my wife, so I first sent N500,000 and later N2 million that same evening. They insisted I must complete the balance of N500,000 before they release her.

“I was still struggling to raise the balance when I got a call that she had been rescued by the police and immigration at Ibereko,” he said.

Their daughter, Naomi Abel, recounted that her mother was abducted near the Torikoh bus stop in Badagry while travelling in a commercial bus.

“The kidnappers were operating in two buses. They entered the vehicle, blew a white substance, and made everyone unconscious,” Naomi said.

“About 15 people were taken to their hideout in Ibereko. They released victims one by one after collecting ransom. My mother said some of those kidnapped were actually working with the gang.”

She expressed gratitude to the security operatives and members of the Ibereko community for their swift action in rescuing her mother.