One of the alleged kidnappers that the Lagos State Police Command subdued last week is reportedly Asonna Rich, a well-known film producer with headquarters in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.
It was gathered that Asonna and his kidnapping gang were about to embark on a kidnapping spree in Lagos, when he was shot dead during a gunfight with police officers from the Lagos State Command.
According to reports, the Lagos Police Command on Thursday, July 4, 2024, gunned down nine of the alleged kidnappers, but two managed to escape with gunshot wounds.
During a news briefing, SP Benhamin Hundeyin, the spokesman for the Lagos State Command, stated that police intelligence had gathered extremely credible and actionable information about a dangerous and well-known kidnapping gang that was plotting to kidnap some wealthy people in Lagos.
He said, “Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, CP Fayoade directed the Command’s tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up immediately closely, monitored dutifully and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike on Thursday at Ladipo area of Lagos State .
“With the benefit of this information, we were able to proactively prepare for them and more or less laid an ambush for them.
“The kidnappers who were caught unawares would not give up easily as they engaged the police officers in a shoot out. They of course bowed to the superior fire power of the police
“Nine of them were neutralized while two escaped with gunshot injuries. Four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semi automatic pistols, nine AK 47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one POS machine were recovered.
In a related development, Nollywood actor, Stanley Nwoke Ontop, in a post on his Instagram page, expressed shock that the said Asonna was among those gunned down by the police and also called on the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to engage in proper background checks of its members.
He said, “Those of you that feel less of themselves, calm down, Gods time is the best. Look at this guy, this guy is a Nollywood producer. He is a very big Nollywood producer. Producer in the morning, Kidnaper in the night, Derico at night.
”And all of you will say, God when, when will I answer producer, producing my own movies. This, guy was shot dead when they went to kidnap a wealthy Lagosian, they didn’t know police have intelligence on them and mount police tactical team for them”.
