Abduction of Ex-Banker in Lagos family cries for help

There was panic and apprehension in a Lagos community when one Benjamin Kiwogun was abducted by men suspected to be kidnappers.

The sad event which occured at night on November 3, 2023 rocked the neighborhood of Ejigbo area of Lagos as some residents confirmed seeing the former banker outside his gate being forced into a waiting vehicle in the street, thus underlining the experience of most Nigerians who have had to endure sore experiences in the hands of kidnappers.

While narrating the incident to newsmen, Fred Kiwogun, the elder brother of the victim, regretted the ugly development.In a voice laden with grief and anguish, Fred said the family had been thrown into confusion following the abduction.

He said that Benjamin, a devoted family man and former banker, had left his corporate job in January 2020 to pursue a more fulfilling life in farming.

He further said that In January 2021, he returned to his village in Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, where he began farming to cultivating crops to provide for his family as a means of livelihood and lifeline for his family. With every harvest, he brought fresh produce to his wife in Lagos, supporting their childrens education and covering expense.

However, the tranquility of his hometown was disturbed in October 2022, when suspected armed Fulani herdsmen invaded Abavo Community and attacked them because of their beliefs.

Their reign of terror left the community in turmoil: farmland destroyed, lives lost, people kidnapped,and women violated

As a dedicated member of the community, he collaborated with a local vigilante group, formed to resist these attacks. He found himself targeted by the very menacing forces he sought to thwart.

Threats against his life and his family’s safety forced him to flee back to Lagos, leaving behind the land he loved.

Despite the turmoil, Benjamin remained resilient, hoping to rebuild a semblance of normalcy in his family’s life. But on that fateful night of November 3, 2023, he was ambushed while returning home.

The kidnappers, shrouded in darkness, seized him outside his gate. leaving his family in a state of shock and fear.

The kidnappers have demanded a ransom for his release, further deepening the family’s anguish. Fred reported the incident to the police, but the uncertainty looms large, overshadowing their lives with dread.

As the community rallies around the family, the chilling reality of Benjamin’s situation serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive insecurity that plagues many parts of Nigeria.

The resilience of one man against the forces of violence, and the desperate hope of a family fighting to bring him back, encapsulates the human struggle amidst chaos and fear.

In this moment of crisis, the family stands united in their plea for justice and for his safe return.

Nigeria faces significant challenges related to insecurity, which have escalated in recent years. The country grapples with various forms of violence, including insurgency, banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes.

The Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast has led to widespread displacement and loss of lives, while armed groups in the northwest and central regions have intensified attacks on communities, resulting in a humanitarian crisis.

The Nigerian Government has launched military operations and engaged in peace-building efforts, but the persistence of violence continues to undermine public safety and economic development.