Brave commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, were hailed as heroes yesterday evening after they intercepted a group of men attempting to abduct a 34-year-old woman, Mrs. Benedicta Sunkle, at the Fara Park area of Ajah.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 6:30 pm, sent shockwaves through the quiet residential community. Witnesses say a group of men, suspected to be acting on behalf of a traditional authority from the victim’s home state, pounced on Mrs. Sunkle in an attempt to force her into a waiting vehicle.
The abduction was thwarted when the victim’s piercing screams alerted a group of nearby Okada riders. Displaying remarkable bravery, the riders mobilized and gave the kidnappers a high-speed chase through the internal roads of Fara Park. In a coordinated move, the riders successfully blocked the vehicle’s path, preventing the assailants from reaching the Lekki-Epe Expressway, where they likely would have disappeared into the evening traffic.
One of the riders, identified as Lanre Ogunyemi, recounted the tense moments to The Nation. “If no be God and the fact say we determine and pursue them, dem for don carry the woman go,” he said in Pidgin English, emphasizing that the kidnappers were inches away from succeeding before the riders forced them to a halt.
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The victim’s husband, Mr. Henry Sunkle, who arrived at the scene shortly after the rescue, was visibly shaken and struggled to maintain his composure. Speaking to our correspondent, Mr. Sunkle revealed that the attempted kidnapping was not a random act of violence but the culmination of a long-standing campaign of intimidation.
“We have been suffering threats from family members who insist my wife must undergo circumcision again,” Mr. Sunkle disclosed. He explained that Benedicta nearly lost her life only three months ago during a botched traditional circumcision that resulted in severe medical complications and profuse bleeding.
According to the husband, the traditional authorities have remained adamant about “finishing” the process, despite the life-threatening risks involved. “She nearly died last time. I am calling on the police authorities and the government to come to our aid. We have nobody else to run to,” he pleaded.
When contacted via telephone, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmus, confirmed that the command had received a report regarding the incident.
“We are aware of the situation at Fara Park,” SP Badmus stated. She, however, noted that she was awaiting a full briefing from the divisional office and promised to provide more details as soon as the preliminary investigation is concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, The Nation is yet to receive further updates from the police authorities. Meanwhile, the residents of Ajah continue to praise the local Okada riders for their vigilance and courage in protecting one of their own.