The gang’s operational vehicle
Two Pakistani nationals have been apprehended for allegedly masterminding a notorious kidnapping gang that targets victims for ransom in Lagos State.
The suspects, identified as Roman Gull (19) and Aftab Ahmad (28), were apprehended on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, following a distress call received by the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command.
According to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the report detailed the abduction of a 48-year-old Pakistani national in Ikeja.
Investigations revealed that the suspects, along with five other accomplices who remain at large, lured the victim from Kano to Lagos under the pretext of offering him a job as a chef.
Hundeyin stated that after booking his flight and lodging him in a hotel on February 28, 2025, the gang overpowered him the next day, tied his hands and legs, and demanded a ₦50 million ransom from his employer in Kano, threatening to kill the victim if the ransom was not paid.
Hundeyin said, “In strict compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, that all police commands should stamp out kidnapping and other violent crimes throughout the country, the Lagos State Police Command successfully busted and arrested two notorious Pakistanis who specialize in kidnapping people for ransom.
“A distress call was received at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, regarding the kidnap of a 48-year-old Pakistani in Ikeja. The anti-crime patrol of the division was swiftly deployed, leading to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of two captors, while five other suspects escaped.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the two arrested suspects and five others lured the victim to Lagos from his base in Kano under the pretext of offering him a job as a chef.
“They booked his flight, lodged him in a hotel on February 28, 2025, and then overpowered him the next day. They tied his hands and legs and sent a ₦50 million ransom demand to his employer in Kano, threatening to kill him if the ransom was not paid.
“The employer initially paid ₦1 million to buy time before alerting the police.
“Recovered from the suspects were: Their operational vehicle, a grey Toyota Camry sedan; The victim’s $2,000 cash; Three ATM cards; A green card; The victim’s driver’s license and NIN slip.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prosecute them upon the conclusion of the investigation. Meanwhile, the rescued victim is in good condition and has reestablished contact with his family.”
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers of Ikeja Division for a job well done and assured Lagos residents of the police command’s commitment to ensuring their safety and security at all times,” the statement added.
