A joint team of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officers and the Police have rescued Mrs. Ladi Abel, the 45-year-old wife of a senior immigration officer, who was abducted along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway while on her way to the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

According to her daughter, Miss Naomi Abel, the incident occurred at Torikoh Bus Stop, Badagry, when kidnappers operating in two commercial buses attacked and sprayed a white substance that rendered several passengers unconscious. The assailants reportedly whisked away about 15 victims to their hideout in the Ibereko area.

Mrs. Abel later recounted that some individuals among the kidnapped victims appeared to be working with the kidnappers, helping them identify potential targets and control the captives.

Security operatives, acting on intelligence, stormed a swampy location on Ogunleye Street, Ibereko, late Tuesday night, where the victim was rescued. The kidnappers fled moments before the team arrived.

Confirming the operation, Mr. Isaac Elijah, Public Relations Officer of the NIS Seme Border Command, said the rescue took place around 11:45 p.m. and involved about 20 immigration officers, 25 police personnel, and members of the Ibereko community.

“The Divisional Police Officer of Badagry Police Station, Folajimi Akosile, led the operation that busted the syndicate’s hideout. Unfortunately, none of the suspects was apprehended as they escaped before our arrival,” Elijah said.

In a twist, the victim’s husband, Mr. Abel Mada, revealed he had already paid ₦2.5 million in ransom before news of his wife’s rescue reached him.

“They initially demanded ₦3 million. I sent ₦500,000 in the afternoon and ₦2 million later in the evening. I was still trying to raise the balance when I got the call that she had been freed,” he explained.

Naomi expressed gratitude to the Police, Immigration Service, and Ibereko residents for their quick intervention, saying their swift action saved the family from deeper financial and emotional distress.