By Chiemelie Ezeobi
The increasing spate of kidnapping in Lagos was again brought to the fore with the recent abduction of the Acting Director/Liaison Officer of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Chief Agbebaku Izobo, at the Amuwo Odofin area of the state.
The victim was intercepted in his car and abducted on March 26, at Apple Junction by four armed men on his way home from work.
Checks revealed that the kidnappers have been in talks with the victim's family and had brought down the ransom to N6million as against the initial fee of N10million they were demanding.
Speaking to THISDAY on the phone yesterday, Chief Executive Officer, NPC, Mr. Steven Odumodu, said they had hopes on his safety as they heard his voice on the phone last Saturday.
He said, "Izobo was on his way from work when a black Golf car intercepted him at the road leading to the Ijesha link road. Four heavily armed men came down from the car and dragged him down.
"They pushed him to their car and also made away with the victim's Toyota Corolla car. However, the car was recovered 24 hours later at Ijesha area."
He added, "We have been in talks with the kidnappers since then and initially, they demanded for N10million but they have reduced it to N6million. We heard his voice on Saturday when we were speaking with the kidnappers.
"We reported the incident at the police station and they arrested the driver who is presently helping out in investigation. We don't know if he has a hand in the act yet."
On the ransom demanded by the kidnappers, Odumodu admitted that the police frowned at meeting it since they are optimistic about rounding up the criminals, adding that the NPC is also working to ensure the victim's release.
The statement signed by NPC management reads in part; "The management of the Nigerian Press Council wishes to provide the general public with information about the abduction of our Acting Director/Liaison Officer of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Chief Patrick Izobo-Agbebaku.
"He was abducted by four unidentified gunmen in the evening of March 26 at Apple Junction, Amuwo Odofin, on his way home after the office work. The matter has been reported to the FESTAC Police Division.
"The car in which Agbebaku was abducted from, a Toyota Corolla, had since been removed at Ijesha Road but without Agbebaku.
"The NPC has appealed to the general public that anybody that has any information about his whereabouts should please inform the authorities. The NPC also appeals to Agbebaku's abductors to please release him."
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, promised to find out.
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