Ejike Conversion, a well-known car dealer in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market in Lagos, Nigeria, was abducted by gunmen on Saturday night, sending shockwaves through the market community.
Ejike was reportedly taking inventory of his newly imported goods in front of his plaza around midnight when gunmen swooped in. His workers fled for safety when they heard gunshots, but Ejike was not so lucky. The gunmen attacked him, dragged him into their vehicle, and drove off.
Traders who spoke to PUNCH expressed their surprise and concern about the abduction, which occurred so late at night, well after the market’s usual closing time of 6 pm. A member of the market’s Board of Trustees, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the incident and said it had caught many traders off guard.
“He was abducted at his warehouse when he was taking delivery of his goods delivered from China very late in the night,” the source said.
Adding to the worry, sources close to the family revealed that the kidnappers have demanded a N500 million ransom. The family has been negotiating for a reduction of the amount, but the kidnappers have so far refused to budge.
“Ejike is still with the kidnappers,” another source said. “They are demanding N500 million, and it’s just too much. The family has been trying to negotiate, but they won’t lower the amount. They insist on getting the full sum.”
This recent abduction is not an isolated incident. Similar cases have been reported in other parts of Lagos, including the Ikotun and Egbeda areas. In one such case, a 13-year-old girl named Miracle Adereti was kidnapped by a gang on her way home from school.
The Adereti family has pleaded for help from the police despite receiving threats from the kidnappers not to involve them.
