Maersk MD Attacked in Lagos, Wife Killed

The managing director of Maersk Line, Gildas Tohouo, and his wife were attacked in Lagos on Sunday night, police have said. 

Mr Tohouo’s wife, whose name has yet to be made public, was killed in the attack at the family’s home in the affluent Ikoyi neighbourhood. 

Mr Tohouo, a Cameroonian, manages the Maersk shipping company’s operations in Nigeria. 

Authorities understand that Mr Tohouo and his wife were imprisoned by their assailants in their home on Sunday night. Mr Tohouo’s wife is believed to have been asked to transfer money to her attackers and was later threatened with a poisonous substance. 

During the attack Mr Tohouo was able to call Maersk’s chief security officer, who in turn alerted the police. 

Attackers are thought to have gained entrance to the building by help of an electrician, who has since been arrested. 

In an interview with The Cable, Lagos police spokesperson, Bala Elkana, confirmed the attack and stated that Mr Tohouo and his wife had been stabbed in their home. 

"The wife died and he is still alive and responding to treatment”,  Mr Elkana reported. 

"Those who carried it out are in our custody. One of them is an electrician in the estate, who was assisted by his friend. Their aim was to steal from the man. They were there to rob.”