Members of a community in the Ikotun-Abaranje area of Lagos State have raised concerns over the whereabouts of a professional mechanic, Mr Akinkunmi Emmanuel, following an alleged kidnapping, threats and subsequent vandalism of his residence.
Emmanuel, a Nigerian citizen and professional mechanic, was said to have lived with his wife, Mrs Akinkunmi Folashade Abiodun, and their five children at the Abaranje area of Ikotun, Lagos State, before the family was forced to leave the community over concerns about their safety.
The five children are identified as Akinkunmi Titilayo Joy, Akinkunmi Ifeoluwa Esther, Akinkunmi Busayo Taiye, Akinkunmi Busola Kehinde and Akinkunmi Oyindamola Favor.
Emmanuel was also said to have operated a mechanic workshop along the Ikotun-Abaranje Road and was actively involved in community affairs through the Community Development Association, CDA, in his area.
According to members of the community, Emmanuel served as the Public Relations Officer of the CDA and participated in efforts to address security and other issues affecting residents.
The community alleged that Emmanuel began receiving threats after he raised concerns before members of the CDA about recurring kidnapping incidents in the area.
According to the account, there was also a separate disagreement between Emmanuel and one of his clients at his workshop in November 2023.
The matter was reportedly brought before members of the CDA, who subsequently reported it to the police.
The community said the police asked those involved to identify the person they suspected in connection with the matter, following which a suspect was arrested.
The suspect was later released.
However, according to the community, Emmanuel subsequently faced threats, raising concerns among some residents that the disagreement might have exposed him to danger.
The situation reportedly escalated on December 29, 2023, when unknown gunmen allegedly invaded Emmanuel’s residence at about 11:30 p.m.
The assailants allegedly took Emmanuel away from his home after locking his wife and four of his children inside a toilet.
According to the account, the gunmen blindfolded Emmanuel and took him to an unknown location.
His wife subsequently raised an alarm, while the incident was reported to the police on December 30, 2023, at the police headquarters in the Alimosho area of Ikotun.
Members of the community said the family later came to suspect that the earlier disagreement involving Emmanuel and the man who had been arrested by the police might have been connected to the abduction.
The suspect was reportedly arrested again in connection with the development.
According to the community’s account, the alleged kidnappers subsequently contacted Emmanuel’s wife and demanded N30 million as ransom for his release.
The family was reportedly attempting to meet the demand while the kidnappers moved Emmanuel from one location to another.
The community said the alleged abductors eventually became concerned that they could be traced through the telephones being used to communicate with Emmanuel’s wife.
It was alleged that, while changing locations, the kidnappers abandoned Emmanuel by the roadside.
According to the account, he sustained bruises and serious injuries to his legs during the ordeal.
The community said Emmanuel managed to make his way back home and arrived at about 2 a.m. on January 7, 2024.
The development brought temporary relief to his family and members of the community.
However, according to the account, concerns about his safety continued because the man earlier suspected in connection with the dispute had also been released.
Members of the community later alleged that the suspected man and individuals described as his associates continued to terrorise residents and vandalise property in the area.
The alleged incidents reportedly heightened concerns among landlords and other community members about Emmanuel’s safety.
The landlord associations subsequently advised Emmanuel to relocate from the area with his family to prevent a possible recurrence of the alleged attack.
Following the advice, Emmanuel reportedly vacated his residence.
However, the community said the decision to relocate did not immediately bring an end to the concerns surrounding the property.
According to the community, individuals suspected to be members of the same gang returned to Emmanuel’s former residence on July 20, 2024.
The individuals allegedly vandalised the property but discovered that Emmanuel and his family were no longer living there.
The community said the incident reinforced concerns that Emmanuel could have remained a target if he had continued living at the residence.
Despite the passage of time, members of the community said they had been unable to establish Emmanuel’s current whereabouts or obtain reliable information about his situation.
His wife has reportedly returned to members of the community seeking assistance in locating her husband and determining what happened to him.
The community is now appealing to security agencies, government authorities, community leaders and members of the public to assist in tracing Emmanuel and establishing his whereabouts.
They also appealed for any information that could help determine whether he is safe and facilitate contact with his family.
The community said its primary concern was the safety and welfare of Emmanuel and his family, urging relevant authorities to revisit the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping, the threats he reportedly received before the incident, the ransom demand and the subsequent vandalism of his property.
The allegations in the account have not been independently verified, and it was not immediately clear whether any suspects had been prosecuted or what the latest status of the police investigation was.
The community nevertheless urged anyone with credible information about Emmanuel’s whereabouts to provide it to the appropriate security authorities or his family.
