The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two Pakistani nationals, Roman Gull, 19, and Aftab Ahmad, 28, for allegedly leading a kidnapping gang in the state.
The suspects, along with five others still at large, lured a 48-year-old Pakistani man from Kano State to Lagos with a fake job offer as a chef. They later abducted him and demanded a ransom of ₦50 million from his employer.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday. He explained that officers from the Ikeja Division responded swiftly to a distress call and successfully rescued the victim.
“A distress call was received at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, about the kidnap of a 48-year-old Pakistani within Ikeja.
“Anti-crime patrol teams were swiftly deployed, leading to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of two of his captors, Roman Gull and Aftab Ahmad, both Pakistani nationals, while five others escaped,” Hundeyin said.
Investigations revealed that the gang arranged a flight for the victim from Kano to Lagos and lodged him in a hotel on February 28, 2025. The next day, they visited the hotel, overpowered him, tied his hands and legs, and sent a ransom demand to his employer in Kano, threatening to kill the victim if their demand was not met.
To buy time, the employer paid ₦1 million three days later before notifying the police.
Recovered from the suspects were a grey Toyota Camry, $2,000 cash belonging to the victim, three ATM cards, a green card, a driver’s licence, and a National Identity Number slip.
Hundeyin confirmed that efforts were ongoing to capture the fleeing suspects and assured that all those involved would face prosecution.
Meanwhile, the victim is said to be in good health, and contact has been made with his family.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, praised the officers for their quick action and reassured residents of the police command’s dedication to ensuring security across the state.
