Hooded gunmen on Monday evening kidnapped three prominent individuals in coordinated strikes at three different locations in Lagos.

One of their victims, a retired Air Vice Marshal (AVM) and former Chief of Logistics of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Sikiru Oladimeji Smith was whisked away at a work site in Ajah by the criminals, said to have shot sporadically.

The other victims, including a prominent Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor and Insurance Broker with his wife were double-crossed around Dopemu in the Agege area of the state on their way home.

Their driver was forced into one of the cars used by the kidnappers suspected to be stolen.

The third victim, according to security firm, Eons Intelligence, was kidnapped at Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase One by another set of hooded gunmen, said to have also driven him away to an unknown destination.

Raising alarm about the abduction of AVM Smith through a minute and four seconds voice note, his driver, Corporal Odiji said the gunmen struggled with the retired senior officer before they whisked him away in a boat.

He said: “Good evening house. Please, this is an emergency. I am Corporal Odiji, attached to AVM Smith. Oga was just moved from the site we were working. Some gunmen wearing masks just came, pulled him out of the site.

“They shot everywhere and took him away. I was nearby where he asked me to fix his vehicle. I am his driver. As I was coming back, I saw them where they went on a boat through the water. I was not armed. So, I ran to the site and found Oga’s glasses and where he struggled with them before they took him off.

“Please, somebody should pass the message. They went from Blenco area in Ajah and rode towards Ikorodu area on the water.”

In a post on its social media platform, Eons Intelligence wrote: “The couple kidnapped in Dopemu area of Agege, Lagos was whisked away in their car while their driver moved into another car believed to be stolen.

“Update this morning is that the gunmen have released the wife, to source for the N50M ransom demand brought down from the initial N100M.”

Sources close to the pastor’s family confirmed that the woman was released early on Tuesday by the kidnappers who dropped her by the residence.

“They took both husband and wife captive and demanded N100m ransom within hours of kidnapping them. But early this morning, they dropped the woman near their house with an instruction to source for N50m ransom in order for her husband to be released.

“They also warned her that they were watching her closely. The way it happened, we are suspecting that they might have targeted the family. Their driver was forced into another vehicle suspected to be stolen while the kidnappers took over the couple’s car.

“At the moment, the pastor’s wife is still very shocked and confused. She isn’t talking to anyone because she’s also afraid. We are just praying for the safe return of her husband,” a source said.

The Nation reports that hooded gunmen on Sunday also kidnapped one Kingsley Ogbuagu by the Catholic Church of Visitation, Festac Town in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area (LGA).

Ogbuagu who was about entering the church after parking his vehicle, was said to have been forced into an unmarked car by masked armed men and driven away.

Activist, Harrison Gwamnishu who took to his Facebook page to break the news on Sunday, urged the police to check their cells to know if those who took Ogbuagu were operatives.

These resumed cases of kidnappings are causing apprehension among residents with experts attributing it to resurgence of militancy.

According to a security source, the kidnappers’ modus operandi was similar to those of Niger Delta militants particularly the Ilaje boys from Ondo State.

“We have seen these tactics in Lagos in the past. This is a pure case of invasion and the way they are operating, it seems the militants have regrouped. It calls for concern,” the source said.

Contacted for reaction, police spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed the kidnap of AVM Smith, adding that efforts have been intensified to rescue him and arrest the culprits.

Ajisebutu however said he was not aware of the other kidnap incidents, promising to make findings and revert.

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