Police arrest two suspects over kidnap of Pakistani in Lagos

The police command in Lagos says it has rescued Iftikhar Ahmed, a 48-year-old Pakistani, from kidnappers. 

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said Ahmed was kidnapped after being lured to Lagos.

Quoting intelligence sources, the publication said Ahmed was invited to Lagos from Kano by seven Pakistanis under the pretext of securing a job for him as a chef.

“The victim arrived in Lagos on Feb. 28 and was received at the airport by the suspects,” the source said. 

“However, on March 1, they visited his lodge, overpowered him, tied his hands and legs, and robbed him of 2,000 dollars, three ATM cards (UBA, Access, and Unity Banks), a green card, a driver’s license, and his National Identification Number (NIN) slip.”

The publication said the kidnappers reportedly contacted Ahmed’s employer in Kano to demand a N50 million ransom, with the employer paying N1 million before the police intervened.

Operatives from the Ikeja police division, in collaboration with other units, raided a location along Awolowo Way on March 5, following intelligence received at about 7:10pm. 

“The victim was rescued unhurt, and two of the suspects — Roman Gull, 19, and Aftab Ahmad, 28 were arrested. Five others managed to escape,” Benjamin Hundeyin, police spokesperson in Lagos, said. 

A Toyota Camry with registration number SGD-289-AE (Edo) was recovered from the suspects, with efforts ongoing to track down the fleeing accomplices.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the gang has been operating under the guise of assisting Pakistani nationals seeking employment in Nigeria.

“The suspects targeted their own countrymen, luring them with job offers before abducting them for ransom,” the source said. 

“A discreet investigation is ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects and uncover any potential accomplices.”