Maryam Aminu
In a shocking incident, about 15 masked armed men dressed in Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) uniforms, accompanied by suspected thugs, invaded Seafortunes Hotels Limited in Ago Palace Way, Lagos, subjecting staff and guests to hours of torture before carting away a generator set and customers’ valuables.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of last Sunday, saw the armed group storm the hotel around 4 a.m., shooting sporadically before forcefully breaking into rooms and dispossessing guests of their belongings.
Reports indicate that they demanded to see the hotel’s owner, but when they could not find him, they proceeded to dismantle and remove the hotel’s giant generator with the aid of a heavy-duty crane.
Speaking on the incident, the hotel’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nwukwa Okechukwu Fortune, recounted the terrifying ordeal.
“At about 4 a.m., I received a distress call from one of my customers, informing me that masked armed men had invaded my hotel. They laid down my staff and security personnel before heading to the generator room, dismantling it, and eventually carting it away with a heavy-duty truck. They also manhandled a neighbor whose car was obstructing access to the generator room.”
According to Fortune, CCTV footage from the hotel captured about 30 attackers, 15 of whom were wearing NSCDC uniforms while the rest were touts.
He identified one of the perpetrators as Nicholas, a diesel dealer, who had an unresolved business dispute with the hotel’s former manager, Mr. Ogbonna.
Fortune explained that the hotel was previously leased to Ogbonna, who was responsible for monthly remittances. However, after Ogbonna failed to meet his financial obligations, he was disengaged. Following his exit, creditors including Nicholas began demanding payments for debts allegedly incurred by Ogbonna.
“Nicholas sold diesel worth N3 million to Ogbonna, who failed to pay him before he was disengaged. Despite informing Nicholas that the hotel had changed management, he insisted that the hotel owed him.
He petitioned the Area E Police Command, and I was invited. I cooperated with the investigation, and we even facilitated Ogbonna’s arrest. However, Nicholas failed to show up in court when summoned as the principal complainant.”
Six months later, armed men stormed the hotel, allegedly under Nicholas’ directives, to seize the generator.
“The attackers claimed to be police officers from Area E Command, which allowed them easy access. They ordered everyone to lie face down, asked for the owner’s whereabouts, and then proceeded to the generator room, which Nicholas pointed out to them. They lifted the generator into their truck and fled, firing sporadically as guests and staff scattered. Some guests lost valuables, while others left without paying their bills.”
Fortune revealed that after the attack, Nicholas was eventually arrested and led police officers to the location of the stolen generator. He also disclosed the identities of the alleged NSCDC officers involved.
“The police recovered the generator, but an officer from the Civil Defense Corps later intervened, pleading for negotiations.
He promised to present the officers responsible, but when we arrived at the station, we discovered that Nicholas had already been released.”
When contacted, NSCDC Lagos spokesperson, Seun Abolurin, denied knowledge of the incident, stating:
“If such an incident occurred, we have no report of it at our state headquarters. People impersonate security agencies frequently. If the hotel management reported the case to the police, they should also write to us.”
Similarly, Lagos State Police spokesperson, David Hundeyin, said he would investigate the matter. However, a police source at Ago Palace Police Station, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the case had been reported but said investigations were still ongoing to determine whether the perpetrators were genuine NSCDC officers.
Meanwhile, Fortune lamented the financial losses incurred due to the attack.
“They destroyed the generator, damaged property, and disrupted business operations for a whole week. Customers lost their money, and sales from that day could not be accounted for. This has wrecked the business significantly,” he said.
Police investigations are ongoing to ascertain the identities of all those involved in the attack.
Africa Security Investigation News 