Four Lebanese nationals, including Muhammed Fouani, Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited, have been kidnapped in Lagos. Fouani Nigeria Limited is a major distributor of electronics brands like LG, Hisense, and Huawei in Nigeria. The kidnappers are demanding a $1.5 million ransom for their release.
The abduction occurred on Friday as the group traveled by boat from Apapa to Victoria Island. They were ambushed near the Falomo Bridge, according to multiple media reports.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officer of Lagos State, confirmed the incident. He stated that the victims were indeed Lebanese nationals, though he did not disclose their identities. Hundeyin assured that the police are actively investigating the case.
“We received the report and are investigating it. We are working with their families and the Lebanese community to secure their release,” Hundeyin said. “I’m not obliged to state the names, when, where, and how it happened for now, but we are looking into it.”
The boat carrying the abducted individuals has been found in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
This kidnapping has sparked widespread concern about the safety of Lagos State’s inland waterways. Many Nigerians are demanding better security measures for all forms of transportation in the state. The call for improved security has intensified, especially since the state government has promoted water transportation to ease traffic congestion, with over a dozen new jetties recently launched for commercial use.
Public reaction has been swift. Oseni Rufai, an Arise TV broadcaster, expressed his dismay on his official X account, calling the situation “sad.”
A user on X, @BARKISTAN, was shocked that someone as prominent as Muhammed Fouani could be kidnapped in Lagos. “A man like Mohamed Fouani being kidnapped in Lagos of all places is insane, Lagos o,” the tweet read.
Another user, @PureMinD, highlighted the security lapse, noting that the kidnapping of the managing director shows a significant deterioration in the state’s security. “That Fouani (LG and Hisense) MDs can be kidnapped so easily around Falomo bridge shows that this thing is closer to home than you think,” the post read.
