FESTAC residents bemoan increased kidnapping rate

Tenants and homeowners in FESTAC Town, Lagos, have cried out over the rising cases of kidnappings and attacks on residents in the area by hoodlums.

The latest outcry by the residents of the popular housing estate followed recent high profile crimes in the neighbourhood, especially the abduction and subsequent release of Mrs. Toyin Nwosu, wife of the Deputy Managing Director of Sun Newspaper, Steve, in the vicinity earlier in the week. Toyin, who was abducted in Okota, Lagos, was dropped off by her kidnappers on Thursday morning around the FESCTAC link bridge.

During a meeting earlier in the week, over 200 residents of the community appended their signatures to a letter sent to the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, pleading with him to intensify efforts at ridding the estate of hoodlums, especially those operating with commercial motorcycles.

A combined team of policemen had raided criminal gangs using motorcycles to operate in FESTAC and its environs on September 2, 2015. The security operatives were drawn from the state task force, Rapid Response Squad, FESTAC, Satellite Town and Trade Fair police divisions. Over 100 commercial motorcycles were impounded during the raid.