Sanwo-Olu: Abductors of Fouani brothers won’t be spared

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, says those responsible for the abduction of three Fouani brothers will not be spared.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Wednesday when he received Israel Akanji, president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), and his entourage at the Lagos house in Ikeja.

On June 14, three brothers—Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani—were abducted in Lagos.

Fouani Nigeria Ltd. specialises in electronics and is the sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products in Nigeria.

The three brothers were reported to be returning from their factory by boat when they were abducted.

On Tuesday, the Lagos police command said its operatives had rescued the abducted Fouani brothers.

Addressing the NBC leadership, Sanwo-Olu assured residents and visitors that the government is committed to making the state peaceful and attractive.

The governor said the state government would arrest the abductors of the three Lebanese brothers.

He said contrary to reports, the three brothers were kidnapped on the waterways to Ikorodu and not around the Five Cowry axis in Falomo.

“The security of life and property is paramount, and we do not leave anything to chance on that,” Sanwo-Olu was quoted in a statement by Gboyega Akosile, his media aide.

“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.

“We know 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.”

On the planned annual Baptist World Alliance in Nigeria, the Lagos governor said the state will provide additional security in and around the hotel environment during the convention.

Nigeria will be hosting the convention for the first time in over a century.

“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,” he added.

“We want to assure all the international visitors that will be coming that the 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.”