Lagos, Nigeria – Chaos erupted at Seafortunes Hotels Limited in Ago Palace Way as a group of 15 masked armed men, some dressed in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uniforms, stormed the premises in a violent raid.
According to eyewitnesses, the armed attackers, accompanied by thugs posing as police officers, arrived at around 4 AM, firing sporadic gunshots before breaking into hotel rooms and robbing guests of their valuables.
Their primary target, however, was a massive power-generating set, which they dismantled and carted away using a heavy-duty crane.
A Terrifying Night of Robbery and Violence
Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the hotel’s CEO, Nwukwa Fortune, recounted how the assailants held customers and staff hostage, demanding his whereabouts.
Upon failing to locate him, they proceeded to dismantle the generator while inflicting violence on anyone who resisted.
“They rounded up my staff, security men, and guests. One of my neighbors, whose car was blocking access to the generator, was chased to his apartment and manhandled,” Fortune revealed.
CCTV footage later identified one of the attackers as Nicholas, a businessman who previously had a financial dispute with a former manager of the hotel.
Fortune explained that Nicholas had supplied diesel worth ₦3 million to the previous operator of the hotel, who defaulted on payment before being disengaged.
Despite the matter being reported to the police and taken to court, Nicholas allegedly took the law into his own hands by orchestrating the violent invasion.
NSCDC Denies Involvement, Police Launch Investigation
When contacted, the NSCDC’s Lagos Public Relations Officer, Seun Abolurin, distanced the agency from the attack, suggesting that the criminals may have been impersonating NSCDC officers.
“People often impersonate security agencies. If such an incident happened, the victims should have formally reported it to the NSCDC,” Abolurin stated.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the case was reported at Ago Palace Police Station, with investigations ongoing to verify the identities of the perpetrators and retrieve the stolen generator.
A Call for Justice
With hotel guests traumatized and properties lost, business owners are calling for stricter security measures and a thorough probe into the involvement of any NSCDC personnel.
As investigations continue, Nigerians await answers on how such a coordinated attack could take place under the guise of law enforcement.
Stay tuned to NIGPOST for updates on this developing story.
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