Lagos State Police Command and local vigilante groups have launched a joint operation to rescue two persons kidnapped by gunmen in Igbelara, Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The victims, a 38-year-old woman named Wunmi and a 42-year-old man called Abiola, were abducted late Thursday night after armed men invaded their community. Reports say the kidnappers targeted Wunmi’s husband but ended up taking her from her home. Abiola, who was driving with two others, was also seized as the kidnappers spotted him leaving the area.
Abiola’s brother took to social media to plead for help and criticized the police for what he described as a lack of concrete action. He claimed the kidnappers’ torchlight could be seen when they arrived, but police officers stayed at the edge of the creeks and refused to go deeper into the swampy areas where the kidnappers escaped.
“This is my brother’s car,” he said in a video shared online. “He was kidnapped on this street. The kidnappers went through the forest with him. Police have been here since last night but no results. They just stand at the edge of the forest; no one is entering.”
The video quickly spread on social media and drew mixed reactions. Some users warned against revealing too much information about the victims, while others reassured the public that the police and local hunters were already searching the surrounding bushes and waterways, including nearby Tazan.
A police source confirmed the kidnappings and said rescue efforts started immediately, involving both police and vigilante groups familiar with the difficult terrain.
“Yes, two people were kidnapped, and we are working hard to bring them back safely,” the source said. “The man criticizing the police likely expects us to reveal tactical details, which we cannot do for security reasons. But police presence has been heavy since the incident, proving we are not idle. Special tactical squads have been deployed, and operations are ongoing.”
Kidnapping remains a major security challenge in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, with criminals often using forested and creek areas to hide their victims. The Ikorodu area, with its network of waterways, has seen several such incidents in recent times, making rescue operations difficult.
Authorities have appealed to community members to cooperate and report suspicious movements while urging patience as the police intensify their search.
Meanwhile, families and residents of Igbelara community continue to pray for the safe release of Wunmi and Abiola, hoping that the ongoing police and vigilante efforts will end this ordeal swiftly.
