Estate landlord flees as gunmen abduct two housekeepers

There was fresh panic in New Haven Estate in the Igbelaju area of Iba, Lagos State, on Monday after gunmen launched another attack during which two housekeepers were abducted.

Our correspondent learnt that the gunmen, who came in around 9.30pm, went to Zone 4, Victory area of the estate, where they attacked an apartment.

It was gathered that the attackers had wanted to abduct a landlord, who, however, escaped. The gunmen reportedly took away his two housekeepers.

PUNCH Metro had reported last Thursday, September 1, that some gunmen, who wore military uniform, abducted three landlords in the estate.

It had been reported that two of the landlords were abducted while going to their workplaces around 11am on Monday, August 29.

The gunmen had earlier abducted a woman, identified only as Mrs. Nwaochei, from her residence before the Monday incident.

Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that Mrs. Nwaochei regained her freedom on Monday after her family members paid an undisclosed sum of money as ransom.

The whereabouts of the two other landlords, however, remained unknown.

A landlord in the area, who spoke with PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, said the housekeepers were abducted on Ojezua Street in Zone 4 area of the estate.

He said, “The gunmen have obtained a list of rich landlords in the estate. So, they came again on Monday.

“The first thing we noticed was that the female landlord, Nwaochei, was released by the gunmen. She came back home around 9.30pm. Her husband did not disclose how much was paid as ransom. He only confirmed that they paid a ransom.

“While a part of the estate was celebrating with the family, gunshots suddenly rent the air on Ojezua Street.

“The gunmen came into an apartment on the street to abduct a landlord, but the man had fled the house. So the gunmen took away the two boys working in his house.

“I think the gunmen have informants among us. The commercial motorcycle riders and artisans are among the informants.”

Our correspondent learnt that a suspected land grabber in the estate, identified only as Aaron, was arrested a few weeks back by the Ojo Police Division, but he was released a week ago on bail.

Some landlords told PUNCH Metro that Aaron had vowed to attack residents of the estate for reporting him to the police.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, had yet to reply to a text message sent to her phone on the incident.