Abductors demand N2.2bn ransom on Lagos merchant, Fouani, 3 others - ITREALMS

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The kidnappers of the Managing Director of Fouani Group of Companies, Mr. Mohamed Fouani, the franchise distributors of LG and Hisense Electronics products in the country, at the Lagos waterway, have reportedly contacted the company and family, demanding $1.5 million, about (N2,243,250,000.00 billion) as ransom, just as the Police said it has intensified investigations, reports ITREALMS.

An unconfirmed reports quoted this Sunday morning by ThisDay as saying that Mr. Fouani and three other Lebanese, were kidnapped on Friday evening, June 14, 2024 at the axis of Falomo Bridge, Ikoyi, Lagos, while travelling from Apapa to Victoria Island by boat.

Also, ThisDay reported that when contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the command was already aware of the incident.

“We got the report and we are looking into it,” he reportedly said, without giving details.

Additionally, ThisDay quoted an anonymous senior police officer as saying they were not ruling out any angle in their investigation, whether it was a targeted or random abduction.

“At the moment, we have the basic facts but we are investigating. I wouldn’t want to divulge the facts at our disposal; so, we don’t jeopardise their safety.

“I also wouldn’t want to toe the line of a disgruntled employee or employees but be rest assured that we are not leaving any stone unturned,” the source said.

Further, ThisDay reported that the officer lamented families anxiousness to pay for ransom even though the police advised against it, but assured that the Marine Police is on top of the matter.

“Reacting on the alleged ransom asked by the kidnappers, he also insisted that while it’s advisable not to pay, most families are expectedly desperate to receive their loved ones safe and sound and would always oblige the perpetrators.

“Meanwhile, the Marine Police are said to have intensified patrol of the waterways following the report of the abduction.

“A marine police officer debunked claims that the waterways have been porous, especially at night.

“According to him, the backwaters and even up to the Fairway Bouy have not been left unprotected as both the Marine Police and even small patrol crafts of the Nigerian Navy routinely patrol that axis.

“This is why I said we are investigating whether it was a random abduction or it was planned because our waters are always patrolled.

“This is not the era of sea or river blindness anymore because the government at federal and state level have really equipped the relevant authorities in terms of infrastructure and even platforms for patrol of the waterways,” he told ThisDay.

*Uboshe Uboshe with additional reports from ThisDay. 

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