Kidnappers on Saturday night abducted the Lagos State Fire
Service Acting Director Rasaki Musibau and six others at Ejirin,
along the Epe-Itoikin road, Ikorodu.
Among those kidnapped is the personal assistant to the vice
chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area.
The incident, it was gathered, occurred while the fire chief and
others were returning to Lagos from Epe.
Our reporter learnt that the kidnappers had blocked the Itoikin
bridge, ambushing occupants of a Sienna, Corolla and a Sport
Utility Vehicle (SUV).
A resident, who simply gave his name as Segun, who called to
notify The Nation about the incident around 3pm, said the fire
service chief and other people were ordered to alight from their
vehicles and were whisked away.
He said the incident occurred in the evening.
“They (the kidnappers) didn’t take anything from the vehicles.
The Fire Service acting director’s vehicle was there with his
phone. We saw three vehicles at the spot. We were told that the
kidnappers were just stopping vehicles on the road at Ejirin and
after occupants of the three vehicles were taken, they hurriedly
left the scene,” he said.
He doubted if the kidnappers knew Musibau before abducting
him.
“They could have ransacked his vehicle and taken his phones away
if they knew he is the Fire Service acting director,” he said.
Another resident said the abducted personal assistant to the
vice chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area drove
his boss’ vehicle.
“The kidnappers might have thought it was the council’s vice
chairman, unknown to them that the person driving the vehicle is
the chairman’s aide. I think the man took his boss’ vehicle to a
party. He was returning to Ejirin before he was abducted,” he
said.
According to him, the kidnappers left two children of some of
the women abducted on the scene of the incident.
Some residents alleged that occupants of an interstate bus were
also kidnapped after the vehicle dropped off some passengers along
the road and bystanders, pretending to be waiting for a bus to
Lagos, entered.
A resident, who spoke to The Nation, said the interstate bus had
stopped to drop off a passenger at Ejirin, adding that some other
persons standing on the road joined the vehicle en route to
Lagos.
“It happened on Saturday evening. It was around 7pm. It was one
of these instate buses that ply that route. The bus stopped to drop
off passengers and some people entered.
“But unknown to the driver and passengers, those who entered the
bus were kidnappers and they took them to an unknown
destination.
“It was a separate incident from that of the fire service
director. The man and some others were coming from Epe to Lagos
when the kidnappers ambushed them and took them away. This area is
gradually turning to something else.
“We are worried because we know how bad it was then when farmers
and their employees were being kidnapped daily. These boys are
gradually starting again.
“We are calling on the authorities to act fast before it is too
late,” said the source.
But the police denied that any commercial bus was involved,
saying the total number of those affected were seven occupants of a
Toyota Sienna, Corolla and an Opel SUV.
Saturday’s kidnap has sent shivers down the spines of residents
of the axis who have for some time experienced respite from
incessant kidnappings and armed banditry.
Prior to the latest incident, it was gathered that the Community
Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Samson Ajijedidun, was
kidnapped by the criminals on March 1 and only released after a
ransom was paid.
Some workers and senior staff of the Fire Service were yesterday
seen at the Alausa fire service office.
The Nation learnt that their convergence may not be unconnected
with the kidnap of their boss.
None of them was ready to speak with reporters or anybody that
does not belong to the service.
They were seen discussing the incident in hushed tones.
Contacted, Fire Service Chief Public Affairs Officer Bola Ajao’s
phone was switched off.
Messages sent to her phone were not answered.
Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP),
said seven persons, including the fire service boss, were kidnapped
from three vehicles around 8pm on Saturday.
Elkana said: “They are seven persons, not nine. They were not in
a bus. We are just coming from the scene now. The Commissioner of
Police, Zubairu Muazu, visited the scene. They were in three
vehicles, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla and Opel SUV. We searched
and saw some items belonging to the victims, one of them is the
Lagos Fire Service director.
“Investigation has begun into this incident. The CP has also
deployed Special Forces and tasked the Command’s Anti kidnapping
Unit to ensure that they rescue the seven persons abducted by some
hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers at about 8pm along Iwoye
bridge, Itokin-Epe road, Ikorodu.
“The CP in the company of Tactical Units Commanders visited the
crime scene in the early hours of today (yesterday) and assured the
family of the victims that the command is leaving no stone unturned
in ensuring that the victims are rescued unhurt.
“Those abducted include Rasaki Musibau, Mufutau Adams, Funmilayo
Adelumo, Asiogu Martha, Lasisi Muka and two others. Vehicles
recovered from the scene include Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla and
Opel SUV.
“The command assures Lagosians of their safety at all times, as
it has intensified patrols and surveillance along Itokin-Epe road,
Ketu, Eredo and other major highways in the state.”