LAGOS — In a shocking incident, no fewer than 15 masked armed men dressed in what appeared to be the uniforms of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), alongside several thugs posing as police officers, stormed Seafortunes Hotels Limited on Ago Palace Way, Lagos, subjecting guests and staff to hours of terror. The armed group reportedly robbed customers of their valuables and forcefully removed a large power-generating set from the premises using a heavy-duty crane.
The attack, which occurred around 4 a.m. last Sunday, saw the assailants firing sporadically before forcefully breaking into rooms to rob lodgers. Eyewitnesses say the gang was aggressively searching for the hotel owner, Nwukwa Fortune, before turning their focus on seizing the property’s generator. The criminals held everyone hostage for hours before making away with the heavy-duty equipment.
Firsthand Account of the Hotel Owner
Speaking on the horrifying ordeal, Fortune recounted, “Around 4 a.m., I received a distress call from one of my customers, informing me that armed men in masks had invaded my hotel. They overpowered my security staff, detained customers, and forcefully dismantled the generator. Initially, they asked for me, but when they realized I wasn’t around, they went ahead with their operation. A neighbor, whose vehicle was obstructing their access to the generator, was chased to his apartment and assaulted.”
According to Fortune, CCTV footage revealed that approximately 30 men participated in the attack, with 15 of them wearing NSCDC uniforms while others were touts. The attackers initially posed as police officers to gain access to the hotel.
The Backstory Behind the Attack
Fortune revealed that the incident may be connected to an ongoing business dispute involving a former lessee, Mr. Ogbonna, and a diesel supplier named Nicholas. “This issue has two sides. One is a business transaction involving Mr. Ogbonna, who previously managed this establishment under a lease agreement. When he defaulted on payments last year, he was disengaged, leading to creditors seeking him out,” Fortune explained.
Nicholas, who reportedly sold diesel worth N3 million to Ogbonna before the disengagement, later demanded payment from the new management. “We informed Nicholas that he needed to recover his money from Ogbonna and showed him our agreement, which stated that Ogbonna was solely responsible for transactions during his tenure. Unhappy with this response, Nicholas petitioned the Area E Police Command,” Fortune added.
The case was investigated, leading to Ogbonna’s arrest and subsequent arraignment in Apapa Court. However, Nicholas refused to appear in court, despite being invited as the complainant. “Six months after Ogbonna’s arraignment, this armed invasion happened. It had all the hallmarks of a premeditated attack,” Fortune said.
Hotel Guests Flee Amid Gunfire
During the attack, the gunmen wielded AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons. “They loaded the generator onto their truck and fled. As they shot sporadically, many customers ran away without paying their bills, while others lost valuables. Some sustained injuries during the commotion. By the time officers from Ago Police Station arrived, the criminals had escaped,” Fortune lamented.
Fortunately, the hotel’s CCTV footage identified Nicholas and some of his associates. Nicholas was later arrested and disclosed the location of the stolen generator. He also revealed the identities of some NSCDC personnel allegedly involved in the heist.
NSCDC and Police React
When contacted, the Lagos NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Seun Abolurin, stated that the agency had not received any formal report regarding the incident. “If such an attack occurred, it has not been reported to our state headquarters. People impersonate security agencies frequently, and we advise victims to officially report to us to aid proper investigation.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, David Hundeyin, noted that he would liaise with the relevant station to verify the incident’s details.
A senior officer at Ago Palace Police Station, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that a report was filed regarding the attack. However, the police have yet to ascertain whether the perpetrators were actual NSCDC officers or criminals disguised as them.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to bring the culprits to justice and recover stolen property.
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