Businesswoman, children in hiding as kidnappers hold husband captive over unpaid ransom

The family of Adeniran has gone into hiding, following the continuous abduction of Mojeed Adelaja Adeniran by suspected kidnappers despite releasing his wife, Mutiat Omolabake Adeniran and their children, Maryam Adejoke Adeniran and Mustapha Adetunji Adeniran.

It was gathered that Mutiat, a local businesswoman, was abducted with her entire family on December 27, 2023, during a visit to a community in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The abduction of the family was part of kidnapping incidents witnessed by residents of Alimosho LG where more than 20 residents were forcefully taken by gunmen.

Recall that two communities in Alimosho LG cried out over the high rate of kidnapping, appealing for the Federal Government’s intervention.

Speaking on the frequency with which kidnap syndicates operate unhindered in Egan, Igando and Ikotun communities, the Chairman, Olorufemi/Akinola Community Development Association, Mustapha Hassan, called for a more proactive approach, adding that security agencies seemed to be helpless.

He said over 20 cases have been reported in his CDA, with some cases reported to the police, while others were not reported for fear of reprisals.

It was learnt that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N100 million from the Adeniran family before they could release those abducted.

The kidnappers, however, released Mutiat and her children on January 2, 2024, when a part payment of the ransom of about 50 million naira was paid, while still holding her husband due to the remaining part of the ransom.

The family lamented that the kidnappers refused to release Mojeed, and also threatened to kidnap the released wife and children.

It was gathered that Mutiat, along with her children, are now in hiding, fearing for their lives while desperately trying to secure the safe return of her husband.

Speaking exclusively with our correspondent, Mutiat said the fear of further retaliation has forced her to go into hiding with the children, lamenting that they are in emotional and psychological distress.

She noted that the family fears that the kidnappers will make good on their threats to abduct them again if the remaining ransom is not paid.

Even though the family is now in hiding, Mutiat said she fears that their freedom may be short-lived.

She added that the kidnappers have been in contact, threatening to take her and the children again if they don’t pay the balance of the ransom.

Speaking of her experience during her time with the kidnappers, she narrated, “They blindfolded and gagged me before throwing me into the trunk of a car. I didn’t know where they were taking me.”

“I’m still living in fear, but our priority is the safe return of my husband

“We are cooperating with the authorities and doing everything in our power to meet the demands, but we also appeal to the kidnappers to show mercy and release him unharmed.

“I can’t sleep, I can’t eat. I am so worried about my husband, and now I am afraid they’ll come for us again.”

“I just want my family back together,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears. “I want this nightmare to end.”