By Linus Akomolafe
The Lagos State Police command has confirmed the kidnapped of Rtd Air Vice Marshal ( AVM ) Sikiru Oladimeji Smith who was abducted at a work site in Ajah on Monday.
According to the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Adekunle Ajisebutu, on Monday stated that the command is aware of the Ajah incident and is on it to secure his release.
Smith, a former Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Airforce, is a cousin to the current Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith and was whisked away by masked gunmen who invaded a site in Ajah where he was supervising a construction work on Monday.
In a one minute SOS voice by his driver, Corporal Odiji, Smith was kidnapped around Blenco area and was taken in a speed boat.
He said: “They shot everywhere and took him away. I was nearby where he asked me to fix his vehicle. I am his driver. As I was coming back, I saw them where they went on a boat through the water. I was not armed. So, I ran to the site and found Oga’s glasses and where he struggled with them before they took him off.
“Please, somebody should pass the message. They went from Blenco area in Ajah and rode towards Ikorodu area on the water.”
The retired general is currently the Chairman of Double Wealth Ventures Limited – a dredging and engineering firm in Lagos and had recently advocated for the use of drones as security surveillance in combating crimes across the states.
Meanwhile, the Spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, has promised to make inquiries and provide information on the kidnapped.
AVM Smith started his career into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer in 1979 and he is a BSc, MSc, MBA and PhD degree holder and an Alumnus of Harvard University and fellow of different professional bodies in Nigeria.
Smith attended several military courses both locally and overseas which include flying and engineering. He was awarded numerous military decorations such as Distinguished Service Star, Pass Staff College (Dagger) and Fellow of the prestigious National Defence College.
He was the Commanding Officer (Air Engineering Wing, Sierra Leone/Liberia; Commander, Nigerian Air Force Station, Calabar; Deputy Director, Air Engineering, Nigeria Air Force Headquarters, Abuja, Commander 333 Logistics Group, Kaduna, Commander, 401 Aircraft Maintenance Depot, Ikeja; Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Abuja and Chief of Defence Communications, Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Meanwhile, Ogbuagu Kingsley Kachi has been kidnapped at the frontage of a Catholic church on Sunday in Festac.
According to report, the abductors, said to be three in number, arrived at the church around 11 am on Sunday and whisked him away in a Lexus vehicle.
However, there have been no report on Ransome and contact from his abductors.
