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Businessman’s family in agonising wait for kidnappers’ call

By Odita Sunday
01 February 2016   |   5:40 am
LAGOSIANS yesterday lamented the high spate of kidnapping within the metropolis. The complaints followed the abduction of a popular businessman at Alaba International Market, Francis Umeh.   Umeh was reportedly kidnapped around 7.30p.m. on Thursday at his residence in No 1, Sam Akpakwu Street, by Mobil Petrol Station, Amuwo Odofin, by four gunmen, dressed in…
The entrance into the estate...yesterday

The entrance into the estate…yesterday

LAGOSIANS yesterday lamented the high spate of kidnapping within the metropolis. The complaints followed the abduction of a popular businessman at Alaba International Market, Francis Umeh.
 
Umeh was reportedly kidnapped around 7.30p.m. on Thursday at his residence in No 1, Sam Akpakwu Street, by Mobil Petrol Station, Amuwo Odofin, by four gunmen, dressed in military uniforms. He has been in custody of his abductors since last week.
  
“So far, they are yet to contact the family. The case has been reported by Umeh’s wife at the FESTAC Area Command; but as at yesterday, the report had not been reflected in the police crime diary or incident diary,” a family source told The Guardian.
 
Lagos State police spokesperson, Mrs. Dolapo Badmus, however, switched off her telephone when The Guardian called to enquire on the state of police investigation into the matter.
  
According to the security guard at the residence, “the kidnappers drove straight to our gate and forced me to open it. I tried to argue with them, but they pointed their gun at me, and immediately took my boss.
 
“My boss is a gentleman, who has no friend in the neighbourhood. The event looked like a movie scene to me. Till today, we have not heard anything from them about my oga.”
  
A few months ago, a top journalist and general editor of The Sun Newspaper, Steve Nwosu, was kidnapped from his residence in Ago, Okota area of the state. He was released after his family paid a heavy ransom.
 
According to statistics from the African Insurance Organisation (AIO), Nigeria is now the “kidnap for ransom capital of the world.” The AIO said Nigeria accounted for 25 percent of global kidnappings in the last one year. The revelation was made in Balaclava, Mauritus, at the 18th African Reinsurance Forum.

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