'Niger Delta Militants' Kidnap Naval Officer, Two Others In Lagos, Demand N7m Ransom

The Nation newspaper reports that gunmen claiming to be Niger Delta Militants Kidnapped three people last Monday along the Lagos/Ogun waterways.

The victims include a Nigerian Naval Personnel, a politician and a lady were Kidnapped at Obadero Akesan area of Lagos State, South-West Nigeria. They were amongst passengers that boarded a boat at Adeckson bus stop, Ojo in Lagos State, to Moshe village, on the outskirt in Ogun State. 

An eye witness, one Mr. Femi John, said the three Kidnapped victims are still in the custody of the kidnappers who have demanded a ransom of N7millon. Mr. John, a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) staff in Lagos, said residents in both Moshe and Totowu village now live in palpable fear due to the constant attacks from the gang of militants. 

“Last week Wednesday, I boarded a boat from Ishitu Ego jetty to Totowu village, a border community between Lagos and Ogun States at the close of work. All was going on well until we got to the middle of the river and these boys blocked our boat and robbed us of all we had on us. I had earlier called my wife when I was at the jetty that we were about to depart and usually it take us eight to nine minutes to get to our destination. “But we were trapped on the waterways for close to 30 minutes as the robbers took away our valuables. Two of my phones, a loaf of bread and a folder was taken from me. The robbers came to us and identified themselves as Niger Delta militants. 

They said our president refused to pay their money hence they will continue to terrorize citizens. There was a lady in the boat who was going home with N250, 000 the money was collected from her and other valuables taken from other passengers,” he said. He said a similar robbery incident has earlier taking place this time on a boat that was heading to Ibeshe village. “We learnt that the women on that boat were asked to remove their clothes by the robbers and they handle their breasts. We were all afraid because that kind of thing has not happened before,” John added. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, DSP Dolapo Badmos proved abortive as she did not respond to telephone calls and text messages put through to her mobile phone as at press time.