The family of Taofik Badmos have raised the alarm over the alleged abduction of their son by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the Lagos State Police Command.
It was gathered that the 25-year-old was a 200-level part-time student at Yaba College of Technology and also a printer.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Taofik had left the house on Atiko Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, where he lives with his parent, in the evening on July 23, 2018, but failed to return.
the family and neighbours organised search parties which did not produce the printer.
The family was said to have moved from one police station to another without finding the father of one.
Taofik’s father, Mr Kabiru Badmos, told PUNCH Metro that the family was, however, contacted by a SARS operative on July 27, 2018, informing them that Taofik was in SARS’ custody in Ikeja.
It was gathered that Taofik’s parents, in company with his wife, went to the command.
They said efforts to see him proved abortive, while the crime he committed was not stated.
Taofik’s father, Kabiru, said, “I was called on Friday and invited to the police command in Ikeja. When I got there with my wife, they were angry that I brought my wife along. They said I was the only one that was invited.
“We were delayed for a long time after which they produced a picture of him with a locally-made Dane gun. They did not explain how he was caught with the gun or where he was arrested.
“They whisked away this boy on Monday and did not deem it fit to contact us until Friday.”
Taofik’s mother, Mrs Yetunde Badmos, said she has been distraught since last Monday that her son went missing.
The mother of three said, “When my husband was called on the telephone, I went with him to see our son but we were not allowed to see him. They searched my son’s wife and husband’s phone too.
“I don’t know why he was being held, but I know that he did not do anything wrong; he is a good boy.”
When the state Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, was contacted, he said Taofik’s father was either lying or looking for a way to jeopardise police investigation into his son’s activities.
He said, “The man went to purchase a locally-made pistol and was requesting for cartridges to load the pistol. He arranged with the seller to bring the pistol for him at a hotel before he was apprehended by SARS operatives. He is already under investigation.
“The day his father came, he was told that his son was still undergoing investigation and at that stage, they did not want him to talk to anybody yet.
“SARS operatives also went out on that day for enquiry to see if they can locate other suspects associated with that crime. And they were given appointment to come back tomorrow (Monday) to see and hear from their son; and then we will take it from there.”