Today, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) applauds the security agencies for the safe release of the Managing Director of Fouani Group, and his brothers, from their abductors in Lagos.
Fouani Group is a member of the Association.
In a statement, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of MAN, said that the Association was deeply saddened and worried by the incident and left the entire manufacturing community shocked and concerned about the safety of its chief executives and indeed, its workforce .
The Director- General said, that no sooner the Association received the news of the unfortunate incident, than they frantically made contact with relevant authorities, including security agencies, to express its deep concerns and to reaffirm its confidence in the ability of the agencies to briskly bring an end to the nightmare.
“We are glad that the efforts of the security agencies paid off and yielded results without casualties among the victims,” said Ajayi-Kadir.
The Association urges the government to intensify efforts in tackling the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the country, as it poses a significant threat to the business community and the overall economic development of Nigeria.
This, if not checked, will erode investor confidence in the economy and further jeopardize the efforts of the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at repositioning the economy for growth.
MAN also extends its solidarity and hearty felicitation to the family and colleagues of the Managing Director over the release.
The association remains concerned about the safety and well-being of its members and will continue to collaborate with authorities to address security challenges facing the operators in the manufacturing sector in particular and the nation in general.
On June 14, the Fouani brothers, identified as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani, were abducted around 6pm in Lagos.
Fouani Nigeria Ltd specialises in electronics and is the sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products in Nigeria.
The three brothers were said to have been returning from their factory by boat when they were abducted.
Consequently, Marine police worked “tirelessly” to ensure that the victims were released.
The victims, including the boat driver and his assistant, were released on Monday night (June 17), at Orugbo Iddo community in Epe, Lagos State.
Benjamin Hundeyin, police spokesperson in the state, said the feat was achieved by the Lagos Marine police with support from the navy.