Gunmen abduct immigration officer four days after rescue

An officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, Peter Ofulue, has been abducted by gunmen in the Owutu, Ikorodu area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Ofulue was abducted on Sunday in his apartment while he was cleaning his car and in preparation for church.

Our correspondent gathered that Ofulue, who is attached to the NIS passport office in Ikoyi, Lagos, had earlier been abducted on Monday, July 4, while going to the office.

 

The NIS officer was, however, released on Wednesday, July 6, after the gunmen dispossessed him of his phones and money.

Our correspondent was told that the gunmen had reached out to the family members for a ransom of N30m which could not be paid before he was freed.

The gunmen, who were believed to have come from a creek in the neighbouring Ishawo area, reportedly returned to his residence on Sunday and whisked him away again.

The matter was said to have been reported at the Owutu Police Division.

The NIS National Public Relations Officer, Ekpedeme King, confirmed the abduction.

He added that the NIS was working with the police to ensure his rescue.

He said, “As you know that the immigration service and the police are both under the Ministry of Interior, we have a good synergy on this matter. The case is with the police and they are investigating. We have been told that the gunmen have reached out to the family and they are demanding a ransom.”

One of Ofulue’s neighbours, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen abducted three other persons in the area on the same day.

He said, “The officer was preparing to go for a thanksgiving service last Sunday when the gunmen stormed his compound. He was abducted along with three other persons in the area.

“His family members were in Delta State for an event when the gunmen struck. This is the second time they would come for him. The gunmen were four in number.”

A police source told PUNCH Metro that the gunmen were believed to be working with some people who lived in the area.

“The man was abducted in the first week of the month and abducted again in the second week. People who had been abducted in the area were picked again because they did not pay ransoms.

“Houses have been abandoned in the area due to the fear of kidnappers,” he said.

 Our correspondent learnt that the marine police, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other police units had been deployed in the area.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, could not be reached for comments as her lines were switched off as of press time.