Kidnappers abduct Ikeja council clerk, demands N20m ransom

Unknown gunmen at the Imota area of Lagos State yesterday allegedly abducted the clerk of Ikeja Local Council, Mr. Shamsideen Abiodun Omotayo.

The culprits have since made contact to admit being in custody of the clerk and demanding N20 million as ransom before he will be released.

Although details surrounding his abduction are still sketchy, it was gathered that he was kidnapped at the wee hours of the day while on his way to work.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Mr. Afolabi Olawale, confirmed the incident, adding that already ransom demands have been made.

He said: “This is to inform you of the kidnap incident of the clerk of Ikeja Local Council, Mr. Shamsideen Abiodun Omotayo. The clerk of the house was abducted at Imota on his way to work this morning.

“The kidnappers have so far contacted the Head of Administration of the Ikeja Local Council, Mrs. Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka. They are demanding N20 million as ransom. Meanwhile, efforts are still ongoing by concerned security agencies to rescue him.”

Also, a statement from the Ikeja Local Council signed by its information officer, Mr. Ademola Bello-Onilegbale, confirmed the incident. The information officer, who also confirmed the amount requested for as ransom by the kidnappers, said concerted efforts are on to meet up with their demands.

The statement read: “This is to inform the public of the Ikeja Local Council clerk, Mr. Omotayo Shamsideen’s abduction by some notorious kidnappers at the early hours of Wednesday, August 2, on his way to work.

“He has, however, been allowed to speak with his immediate boss and they are requesting for N20 million as ransom. Concerted efforts are on to meet up with their demands.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State police boss, Fatai Owoseni, said no official report has been received by the police concerning the alleged kidnap.

According to Owoseni, “we have not received any report of such incident. We cannot admit that someone was kidnapped when no one has approached the police to say that such incident occurred.”