Update: Police Confirm Kidnap Of Retired Vice Marshal In Lagos

Air Vice Marshal Ladi Smith

As at the time of filing this report, all efforts to reach the abductors have proved abortive.

Unknown Gunmen have abducted Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith, a retired Military officer, in the Ajah area of Lagos State, EkoHotBlog can confirm.

The abduction reportedly took place around 5pm on Monday, September 27,2021.

The unknown gunmen are said to have accosted the retired vice marshal guns blazing, causing residents to scuttle for safety while they whisked Mr Smith away in a speedboat.

According to his driver, Corporal Odiji, the retired vice marshal had tried to fight off his kidnappers before eventually being subdued.

“This is an emergency. I am Corporal Odiji attached to Air Vice Marshal Smith. They just abducted him from the site where we were working. Some gunmen who were wearing masks just came and snatched my boss now. They shot everywhere. I was near where I was fixing my boss’ vehicle.

“As I was coming, I saw them leaving in a boat but I wasn’t armed so I just ran to the site and I saw his glasses and where he struggled with them. Please pass this information. It is an emergency,” Odiji stated.

As at the time of filing this report, all efforts to reach the abductors have proved abortive.

Soon after being whisked away, all his telephone numbers could be reached but were later turned off.

EkoHotBlog gathered that the security detail attached to the retired vice marshal had been dispatched on an errand when the abductors struck, which paved way for a swift and unchallenged abduction.

Speculations surrounding Mr Smith’s kidnap hovers around a business partner (name withheld), who was contracted to construct a boat to the tune of N7m.

The unnamed suspect is said to have reneged on the contract, bluntly refusing to deliver the boat as agreed in the terms of the contract.

He also refused to refund the payment of N7m and resorted to threats.

There is, however, no confirmed link between the abduction and the breach of contract.

The Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu, promised to make inquiries and revert with a response.

The Spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, also promised to speak on the abduction after due consultations on its facts.

AVM Smith was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer in 1979 and had a highly successful military officer that combined soldering with serious academic pursuit.

He holds BSc, MSc, MBA and PhD degrees. He is an Alumnus of Harvard University and fellow of many professional bodies including the Institute of Management, 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.

FURTHER READING:

The notable appointments he held include 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.

He recently advocated for the use of drones in security surveillance and military offensives in the country to curb the use of military jets.

Ronny Ikpoto

Edidiong-Ronny Ikpoto holds a First Class degree in Media Studies. He shares a healthy enthusiasm for journalism, social & literary criticism, and creative writing.