R.E.V.E.A.L.E.D - Hideout in Lagos where kidnappers keep their victims

Ago Okota area of Lagos was in the news weekend, following the discovery of a kidnapper’s den, on Oyegbusi street, where a Briton who was kidnapped shortly after arriving the country from Amsterdam, was kept for five days before he was rescued.

The three-storey building located in the area known as new sight, towards Ago end of Okota, could be said to be sited at  a vantage position for the kidnappers, as it enables them to have a clear view of the entire area, down to the popular Apple junction in Amuwo-Odofin.

It was gathered that the kidnappers whose exact number could not be ascertained, had been using the uncompleted building for long to  hold their victims hostage until ransom was paid. Investigation carried out revealed that anytime they made a catch, they would drive in with their victims who are usually blindfolded.

On reaching the compound, they would lead their victims right to the third floor from where they would keep them in one of the rooms until ransom was paid.  At the end of any successful operation,  the kidnappers, as gathered, would leave for their  respective places of abode, leaving a lone security man identified as Nonye, to look after their prey.

The kidnappers hideout

The 32-year-old security man who resides in Ikotun area of Lagos, as reliably gathered, was employed as a guard close to two years ago to checkmate usage of the uncompleted building by illegal occupants. But little did his employer (names withheld) know Nonye had a sinister motive up his sleeve.

Efforts to get response from other residents proved abortive as most of them kept sealed lips. However, a man who claims to own a farm land around the flooded area told Crime Alert that there is no way anyone would expect anything of such has been going on there because you hardly see them together in front of the building. Anytime  a car  drives in, there is this impression that the owner of the building has come to inspect it. Construction work stopped for a while and since then, nothing seemed to be happening.”

A local food  vendor around the area said: “ My sister, I know nothing. My only advise is that Police should also carry out same raid around this canal area because all the time, you see them in big big cars driving in and out. Nobody knows what they area into.