By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Police Command has busted a kidnap ring run by Pakistanis in the state.
However, luck ran out for the kidnapping gang as the police have arrested two Pakistani kingpins of the cartel.
The police have declared a manhunt for other fleeing gang members, especially five Pakistanis.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the arrest, said it was done in strict compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that police commands should stamp out kidnapping and other violent crimes throughout the country.
He said, “Lagos State Police Command has made a huge success in the busting and arrest of two vicious and notorious Pakistanis who specialised in kidnapping people for ransom.
“A distress call was received at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, March 05, 2025 about the kidnap of a 48-year-old Pakistani within Ikeja. Anti-crime patrol of the Division was swiftly deployed, leading to the rescue of the victim and arrest of two of the captors, Roman Gull and Aftab Ahmad, aged 19 and 28 respectively, both Pakistanis, while five other Pakistanis escaped.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the two arrested suspects and five others lured the victim to Lagos from his base in Kano under the pretext that they had a job for him as a chef. 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 ₦50 million ransom for his release or else he would be killed. The boss paid ₦1 million three days later to buy time and thereafter alerted the police.
“Recovered from the suspects are: their operational vehicle, a grey-coloured Toyota Camry saloon car, the victim’s 2000 dollars cash, three ATM cards, green card, driver’s licence, and NIN slip. Furthermore, concerted efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects and arraign them in court on conclusion of investigation into the case. Meanwhile, the rescued victim is in good condition and has established contact with his family.
“Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, while commending officers and men of Ikeja Division for a job well done, wishes to assure residents and visitors to Lagos State of the total commitment of the Command to their safety and security at all times.”