The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two Pakistani nationals accused of kidnapping a fellow countryman for ransom. The arrests followed a police operation that also led to the rescue of the victim, while five other suspects managed to escape.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, March 6, 2025. He said the operation was carried out after a distress call was received at the Ikeja Police Division on March 5 regarding the abduction of a 48-year-old Pakistani man.
According to Hundeyin, an anticrime patrol team from the division acted swiftly, leading to the capture of two suspects identified as 19-year-old Roman Gull and 28-year-old Aftab Ahmad, both Pakistani nationals. However, five other alleged accomplices managed to evade arrest.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had lured the victim from Kano to Lagos under the false promise of a job as a chef. The suspects booked his flight to Lagos and lodged him in a hotel on February 28, 2025. The next day, seven individuals, including the two arrested, visited the victim, overpowered him, and tied his hands and legs. They then demanded a N50 million ransom from his employer in Kano, threatening to kill him if the money was not paid.
Hundeyin stated that the victim’s boss initially sent N1 million three days later, likely to buy time, before notifying the police. Acting on this information, law enforcement officers launched an operation that resulted in the victim’s rescue and the arrests.
The police recovered several items from the suspects, including a grey Toyota Camry, used in their operations, $2,000 in cash belonging to the victim, three ATM cards, a green card, a driver’s license, and a NIN slip.
Hundeyin assured that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the five fleeing suspects, and the arrested individuals would face prosecution after investigations. He also confirmed that the rescued victim was in good condition and had re-established contact with his family.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers of the Ikeja Division for their swift response. He reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Police Command to ensure the safety and security of both residents and visitors in the state.
