Gunmen have abducted a Lagos-based woman, Olanike Ogundare, from her residence in the Ijedodo area of the state, with her captors demanding a ransom of N60 million in United States dollars for her release.
It was gathered that the victim was whisked away in the early hours of Thursday at about 1:00 a.m. from her home located at No. 1 Olufemi Ogundare Street, Oke Agaye, Ijedodo.
Residents of the area said the armed assailants stormed the premises in a coordinated operation, overpowering the security guard on duty at gunpoint before taking the woman to an unknown destination.
Family sources disclosed that the abductors had since established contact, initially demanding N60 million but later insisting that the payment be made in dollars, a development security operatives suspect is aimed at evading tracking.
It was further learnt that the kidnappers used the victim’s mobile phone to reach out to the family, with one Dapo Adeola reportedly acting as an intermediary in the negotiations.
A source familiar with the incident revealed that the victim’s husband had already transferred N5 million to the intermediary, although it remains unclear whether the money had been delivered to the abductors or converted to foreign currency.
“The ransom demand is N60 million, but it is now required in US dollars. About N5 million has already been paid through an intermediary, but the status of the transaction is still uncertain,” the source said.
Security operatives, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, have reportedly commenced efforts to secure the victim’s release, while tracking communications and financial transactions linked to the case.
Community leaders and local vigilance groups have also been mobilised, with the involvement of Oodua People’s Congress to support rescue efforts.
Security sources warned that the use of an intermediary presents both risks and opportunities, noting that authorities were working to take control of negotiations and prevent further payments outside official supervision.
As of the time of filing this report, the victim was believed to still be in captivity, while efforts to rescue her and apprehend the perpetrators were ongoing.
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