Operatives of the Nigeria Police attached to the Lagos State Command have arrested two Pakistanis suspected of specializing in kidnapping people for ransom. The arrest was disclosed on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Lagos State Command, Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to Hundeyin, the suspects were apprehended following a distress call on Wednesday at the Ikeja Division of the command. The call reported the kidnapping of a 48-year-old Pakistani national in the Ikeja area of Lagos.
Upon receiving the distress call, the anti-crime patrol team of the division was swiftly deployed to the scene, leading to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the two suspects. The PPRO identified the suspects as Roman Gull, 19, and Aftab Ahmad, 28. However, five other Pakistanis linked to the abduction managed to escape arrest.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the two suspects, along with the five others, lured the victim from his base in Kano to Lagos under the pretext of offering him a job as a chef.
The police spokesman stated, “The suspects booked the victim’s flight to Lagos and lodged him in a hotel on February 28, 2025. The next day, the seven suspects visited the victim, overpowered him, tied his hands and legs, and sent a message to his boss in Kano to pay the sum of N50 million ransom for his release or else he would be killed.”
Hundeyin added that the victim’s boss initially paid N1 million three days later to buy time and subsequently alerted the police, leading to the rescue operation.
DAILY MENTOR reports that the arrest highlights the growing concern over kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, even involving foreign nationals. The Lagos State Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to tackling crime and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors alike.
The suspects are currently in police custody, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining five individuals involved in the crime. The case underscores the need for vigilance and collaboration between the public and security agencies to combat criminal activities effectively.