Two Chinese expatriates, Chen Wenguang and Liang Ding, were abducted in the Kémta/Abule-Owu area along Onigbedu Road in Ogun State, Nigeria, on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. when the two men left their workplace, the Good One Carton Company, to visit friends.
According to a police source who spoke under anonymity, Wenguang and Ding did not notify the company’s security team, the police, or the military personnel assigned to the company before leaving.
“They only informed a few acquaintances about their plans to visit Kémta Village, which is about a kilometer away from their workplace,” the source revealed.
Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the abduction on Monday. She reported that the kidnappers had made contact with the Good One Carton Company, demanding a ransom for the expatriates’ release.
“The company’s security supervisor received a call from one of the expatriates, informing him of the kidnapping and the ransom demand,” Odutola stated.
Following the report, security operatives from the Ewekoro Division, supported by local vigilantes, military personnel from the Social Orientation and Safety Corps, and local hunters, conducted an extensive search of the Kémta Village forest. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate Wenguang and Ding.
The spokesperson indicated that the search operations are ongoing, with various security agencies working in collaboration to secure the release of the abducted individuals. “We are making every effort to locate and rescue the expatriates safely,” Odutola added.
This incident comes amid ongoing concerns about security in Nigeria, particularly for expatriates and foreign nationals.
PUNCH Online previously reported a similar case on May 3, 2024, when three Indian nationals were kidnapped on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The victims were released after three days in captivity.
The current situation has heightened tensions among the expatriate community in Ogun State, with increased calls for enhanced security measures.
The Good One Carton Company, the employer of the abducted individuals, has yet to release a formal statement on the incident.
As the search continues, local authorities and security forces remain vigilant, striving to ensure the safe return of Chen Wenguang and Liang Ding.
