Operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the police have rescued Mrs. Ladi Abel, the wife of a senior immigration officer, who was abducted on Monday along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
Mrs. Abel, 45, was reportedly on her way to the Trade Fair Complex in Ojoo, Lagos, to buy goods when she was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the NIS Seme Border Command, Mr. Isaac Elijah, the victim was rescued late Tuesday around 11:45 p.m. from a swampy hideout located at No. 47, Ogunleye Street, Ibereko, Badagry.
Elijah said the kidnappers fled before security operatives arrived, following an intensive house-to-house search carried out by a joint team of about 20 immigration officers, 25 police personnel, and members of the Ibereko community.
“The Divisional Police Officer of Badagry, CSP Folajimi Akosile, led the operation that uncovered the kidnappers’ den. Unfortunately, none of the suspects was arrested as they had escaped, leaving only the victim behind,” Elijah stated.
The victim’s husband, CSI Abel Mada, confirmed that he had paid N2.5 million of the N3 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers before his wife was rescued.
“When they started threatening my wife, I first sent N500,000, and later, N2 million in the evening. They insisted we must pay the remaining N500,000 before she would be released.
I was still struggling to raise the balance when I got news that she had been rescued,” he said.
Their daughter, Naomi Abel, recounted that her mother was abducted at the Torikoh bus stop area of Badagry while travelling in a commercial bus.
According to her, the kidnappers, operating in two vehicles, sprayed a white substance inside the bus, rendering passengers unconscious.
“About 15 people were taken to their hideout in the Ibereko area, and the kidnappers released them one by one after collecting ransom.
My mother said some passengers in the bus were actually working with the gang,” she said.
Naomi expressed gratitude to the police, immigration officers, and community members who helped rescue her mother.