Gunmen kidnap expatriate in Lagos

Some gunmen have kidnapped an expatriate working on the Epe Township Expansion Project, Epe, being executed by the Lagos State Government. Punch Metro learnt that the expatriate, who was among the contractors from Granebury Construction Company handling the project, was kidnapped late Monday while working on the site.

A source told our correspondent that the gunmen shot into the air before taking the victim away, adding that the police had already mounted aerial surveillance in the community in a bid to rescue the kidnapped contractor.

“A tank has been stationed at the project site. Policemen from surrounding divisions have also mounted surveillance in the area,” he added. Another source told our correspondent that the expatriate, who had yet to be identified, might have been taken to the creek.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ganiu Johnson, did not pick calls placed to his telephone line by our correspondent. However, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Yes, it is true. But we are working with the police to ensure he’s released. The police will also issue a press release on the kidnap soon.” The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Dolapo Badmos, also confirmed the kidnap, adding that efforts were afoot to ensure the victim’s release. She said, “Yes, he was kidnapped. We are on it and we are making efforts to get him back.”