Crack detectives attached to the Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Police Command headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, have arrested a Ghanaian chauffeur, Kwesi Samuel and two accomplices for allegedly conniving with others to kidnap the 10-year-old son of his employer.
Police sources said upon the successful abduction of the child, a call was put across to his mother, who lives in Millionaire Estate Oniru, Lagos, for a N150 million ransom, while the tracking device on the car on which he took the boy out was demobilised.
The Guardian gathered that the matter was reported to the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Olatoye Durosinmi, of Zone 2, who promptly detailed his men to track the suspects.
They were tracked to a hideout in Ijanikin while awaiting the ransom and arrested, while the kidnapped boy was rescued unhurt.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Zonal Command, SP Ayuba Umma, said AIG Durosinmi has warned members of the public to always do a background check on domestic staff before engagement.
She said: “The Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, under the leadership of AIG Durosinmi, has successfully apprehended a kidnapping ring and rescued two victims in a swift operation.
“On March 26, at about 6:00p.m., a resident of Millionaire Estate, Oniru, Lagos, reported the kidnap of her 10-year- old son at the Ikoyi area of Lagos. She further revealed that the kidnappers demanded N150 million ransom.
“Acting on this intelligence, a team of detectives led by the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Tijjani Taofiq (Officer-in-Charge of the Zonal Monitoring Unit) acted swiftly, utilising advanced tracking techniques and intelligence gathering.
“The team pinpointed the kidnappers’ hideout in the Ayetoro area of Ijanikin, Badagry Road, Lagos. On March 28, at about 3:40p.m., officers raided the hideout at Cozzy Hotel, Ijanikin, where one of suspects, Nnachukwu Monday, ‘m’, was arrested and the victims rescued unharmed.
“In a coordinated operation, Mr Samuel Kwasi, the driver and one Freeman Ekpebo, ‘m’, were apprehended at Sun Era Hotel, Ijanikin, where they were allegedly waiting to receive the ransom. Investigation revealed Kwasi to be the principal suspect and mastermind of the kidnap.
“Kwasi, 64, has confessed to demobilising the car’s tracking device before the operation. Meanwhile, the car’s tracking device and a knife have been recovered from the room at Sun Era Hotel, Ijanikin, where the suspects were lodged.
“While commending the Police Officers for their swift response, AIG Olatoye Durosinmi appreciates the community for their cooperation and vigilance.
“He also urges parents and guardians to be cautious and conduct thorough background checks when employing domestic staff.
“The Zone 2 Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Lagos and Ogun states.” (Guardian)
