A joint operation involving personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Police on Tuesday night rescued Mrs. Ladi Abel, the 45-year-old wife of a senior Immigration officer, who was abducted along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway while heading to the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Seme Border Command, Mr. Isaac Elijah, said the victim was rescued around 11:45 p.m. at a swampy area located at 47, Ogunleye Street, Ibereko, after the kidnappers abandoned their hideout on sensing that security operatives were closing in.
He explained: “It took the combined efforts of about 20 Immigration officers, 25 Police personnel, and members of the Ibereko community to rescue the victim.”
Elijah added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Badagry Police Station, Folajimi Akosile, led the raid that uncovered the kidnappers’ den. “Unfortunately, none of the suspects was arrested as they had fled before the team arrived,” he said.
The victim’s husband, Abel Mada, revealed that he had already paid ₦2.5 million of the ₦3 million ransom demanded by the abductors before his wife was freed.
“They demanded ₦3 million. I first sent ₦500,000 in the afternoon and ₦2 million later in the evening. I was still struggling to raise the remaining ₦500,000 when I got the call that she had been rescued,” he recounted.
Miss Naomi Abel, the victim’s daughter, said her mother was kidnapped at Torikoh Bus Stop, Badagry, by men operating in two commercial buses.
“They sprayed a white substance that made passengers unconscious and took about 15 people to their hideout at Ibereko. My mother said some of those held with her appeared to be working with the kidnappers,” she narrated.
Naomi expressed gratitude to the Police, Immigration officers, and members of the Ibereko community for their swift intervention, saying their timely response prevented further extortion and possible harm to her mother.