Residents of Lagos State have decried the increasing rate of kidnapping in the state, especially during the festive period.
News About Nigeria gathered that a man identified simply as Ejike Conversion was kidnapped in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market on Saturday night.
The victim, who is a car dealer, was said to have been involved in the task of taking stock of his newly imported goods in front of his plaza around midnight when some armed men swooped in on him and his workers.
He was said to have been taken while trying to escape, as his workers did, at the sound of gunshots, but did not make it fast enough as he was captured by the kidnappers.
Speaking on the grounds of anonymity, a fellow trader in the market confirmed the incident, stating that it was a shocking one and it took them by surprise.
He stated that the unfortunate incident took place at night, when almost every trader in the market had gone home at the end of business.
He noted that the market usually closes by 6 p.m., but that Ejike had stayed back at his warehouse to take delivery of his goods delivered from China very late in the night, adding that that was when he was kidnapped.
Another source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the kidnappers were demanding a sum of N500 million from the family of the victim.
He added that the family has been in communication with the kidnappers, negotiating for a reduction in the ransom but has not been successful.
