There was unease at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, Lagos State,
on Wednesday after the clerk of the council, Shamsideen Omotayo, and his driver
were
abducted by gunmen.
The duo were reportedly waylaid in Imota, Ikorodu, while the driver was
taking him to the office in his car.
PUNCH reported that the gunmen had established contact with the Head
of Administration of the council, Mrs. Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka, demanding N20m
ransom for their release.
A worker at the Ikeja council secretariat, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said the incident had affected the smooth operation of the council.
He said, “The incident actually happened yesterday morning (Tuesday)
while he was coming to the office in his official car. The car was driven by
his driver.
“The clerk lives around Imota, but I don’t really know the point where
they were kidnapped. Everybody is worried. The vehicle has not been recovered.
The police and the head of administration are already aware.”
The Head of Information Unit, Ikeja LGA, Mr. Bello-Onilegbale, in a
statement on Wednesday, confirmed the incident, adding that the kidnappers had
demanded N20m as ransom.
He said, “This is to inform the public of the abduction of the Ikeja
Local Government Clerk, Mr. Omotayo Shamsideen, by some notorious kidnappers in
the early hours of Tuesday, August 1, 2017, on his way to work.
“He has, however, been allowed to speak with his immediate boss. The
kidnappers demanded N20m as ransom.”
The Public Affairs Officer, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps,
Afolabi Olawale, said the corps was working with other security agencies to
rescue the victims.
“Efforts are ongoing by concerned security agencies to rescue them,” he
said.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde
Famous-Cole, said a case of abduction, not kidnap, was reported to the police,
adding that investigation had commenced.
He said, “A case of abduction was reported and action is being taken. The
man was on his way to work. We want to assume that he was in the car with his
driver and we are investigating to know where the incident happened; whether he
was picked up or he just disappeared.”
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve
Ayorinde could not be reached for comment. Calls made to his line went
unanswered and he had yet to reply to a text message sent to him as of press time.
The incident happened barely four days after six kidnapped pupils of the
Lagos State Model College, Epe, were released.
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