While there is still no solid leads on the whereabouts of Rylands businessman Naushad Khan, his family have been left in a state of panic and despair. The 46-year-old businessman was allegedly abducted outside his retail store Khan’s Punjabies in Hadji Ebrahim Crescent on Monday evening. VOC News has been inundated with calls from community members concerned about his safety.
Speaking to VOC News, friend of the Khan family, Khalil Kader explains that at approximately 17:40 Khan and his 51-year-old store manager were approached, while closing the store, by five armed-men who jumped out of a Toyota Hilux LDV.
As one of the men held the manager, the other four apprehended Khan and proceeded to force him into the vehicle after grabbing the manager’s bag.
“They picked-up the GP registration, which they are not sure of, but further than that there is no cameras and nothing that they could pick up leads to, because he all the other shops were closed and he was last one in the road.”
He added that to date no ransom has been demanded by the alleged abductors.
Describing the incident as having proceeded “so quickly”, Kader said the store manager has only been able to recognize the colours of the alleged abductors’ jackets and is unable to recollect their faces.
He further confirmed that the banks have been informed of Khan’s alleged abduction and that no banking activity has been reported to the family.
“I think that [the banks] either blocked his accounts or are keeping watch of it, but we are still waiting on any activity.”
As expected in situations of this nature, Kader notes that while Khan’s wife, Nafeesah (40) and his three children, aged between 10 and 14, have received medical care, they remain in a state of shock.
He says that despite there being no leads thus far, police officials have been in contact with the family on a daily basis.
Khan’s Punjabies remained closed on Tuesday, but was reopened on Wednesday and will be closing at about 16:30, along with surrounding businesses.
Given the complexity of the case, Kader urged all community members with information on the alleged abduction to forward the information to the Athlone Police Station
“We are just hoping that someone will see something somewhere and bring leads to the cops or family members.”
VOC
