The Lagos Police Command has confirmed the kidnapping of Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith in Ajah, Eti-Osa local government area of the state.

A spokesperson for the command, Ajisebutu Adekunle, told Peoples Gazette the police tactical teams were on the kidnapper’s trail.

The retired officer was kidnapped by unknown gunmen Tuesday morning when he was on-site supervising a project.

A witness said the gunmen arrived in a boat, attacked Mr Smith, who struggled with them before being whisked away to an unknown location.

Corporal Odiji, who was with him at the time, sent out a voice note alerting the authorities of Mr Smith’s abduction.

In the voice recording, Mr Odiji said, “This is an emergency. I am Corporal Odiji, attached to Air Vice Marshal Smith. They just abducted him from the site where we were working.

“Some gunmen who were wearing masks just came and snatched my boss now. They shot everywhere. I was near where I was fixing my boss’ vehicle.

“As I was coming, I saw them leaving in a boat, but I wasn’t armed so I just ran to the site, and I saw his glasses and where he struggled with them. Please pass this information. It is an emergency,” the witness narrated in the voice note.

The spokesperson for the Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, is yet to comment on the matter.