An immigration officer in Lagos has revealed he paid N2.5 million ransom before his kidnapped wife was rescued.
Security operatives later found her in a swampy area in Badagry after a joint operation.
NewsKobo.com earlier reported that the wife of an Immigration officer was abducted in Lagos, with her captors initially demanding a ransom of N7 million for her release.
An immigration officer, Abel Mada, has revealed that he paid N2.5 million to secure the release of his abducted wife before she was eventually rescued by security operatives in Badagry, Lagos State.
According to reports, the woman was rescued late at night after a joint operation by personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Police, and local vigilantes stormed the kidnappers’ hideout.
Confirming the rescue, the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Seme Border Command, Mr. Isaac Elijah, said the woman was found around 11:45 p.m. at a swampy area on Ogunleye Street, Ibereko. He explained that the kidnappers had fled moments before the team arrived after learning that security agents were closing in on them.
“It took the combined efforts of about 20 Immigration officers, 25 Police personnel, and members of the Ibereko community to rescue the victim,” Elijah said. “The Divisional Police Officer of Badagry, Folajimi Akosile, led the operation. Unfortunately, none of the suspects was arrested as they escaped before the team got there.”
The victim’s husband, Mada, said the kidnappers had initially demanded N3 million. He explained that he transferred N500,000 in the afternoon and another N2 million in the evening, hoping to raise the remaining N500,000 when he received news that his wife had been freed.
His daughter, Naomi Abel, recounted how her mother was kidnapped at Torikoh Bus Stop, Badagry. She said the abductors, who were operating with two commercial buses, sprayed a white substance that made passengers lose consciousness before taking about 15 people to their hideout in Ibereko.
Naomi said her mother later revealed that some of the abducted passengers seemed to be working with the kidnappers. She thanked the Police, Immigration officers, and the Ibereko community for their quick response, saying their actions saved her family from further financial and emotional distress.
