Police Foil Kidnap Plot, Rescue Pakistani Victim in Lagos
A 48-year-old Pakistani national, Iftikhar Ahmed, has been rescued by the Nigerian Police after he was allegedly kidnapped by fellow Pakistanis who lured him to Lagos with a fake job offer.
Ahmed was reportedly invited from Kano by seven Pakistani nationals on the promise of securing employment as a chef.
According to sources who spoke to Zagazola, he arrived in Lagos on February 28 and was received at the airport by the suspects.
However, on March 1, they allegedly stormed his lodge, subdued him, tied his hands and legs, and stole $2,000, three ATM cards (UBA, Access, and Unity Banks), a green card, a driver’s licence, and his National Identification Number (NIN) slip.
The kidnappers later contacted Ahmed’s employer in Kano, demanding ₦50 million as ransom.
His employer was able to pay ₦1 million before the police intervened.
Acting on intelligence, operatives from Ikeja Division, in collaboration with other units, raided a location on Awolowo Way, Ikeja, around 7:10 p.m. on March 5.
“The victim was rescued unharmed, and two suspects, Roman Gull, 19, and Aftab Ahmad, 28, were arrested. Five others managed to escape,” police spokesperson Hundeyin stated.
A Toyota Camry with registration number SGD-289-AE (Edo) was also recovered from the suspects, while efforts were ongoing to track down the remaining gang members.
Investigations suggest the group had been operating under the guise of helping Pakistani nationals find employment in Nigeria.
“The suspects specifically targeted their own countrymen, using job offers as bait before abducting them for ransom,” a source disclosed.
Police authorities assured that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and uncover any other individuals linked to the crime.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
