Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three suspected members of an Ondo-based kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of a Lagos resident and the collection of N21 million ransom.
The suspects, 35-year-old Semi Buawe, Bamure Telemowei and 37-year-old Oluwatomi Obosi, were suspected members of a gang operating from Agadagba, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, but travelling to Lagos to kidnap residents.
Police sources said the gang abducted a businesswoman in the Ijedodo area of Lagos and held her captive for three days before her relatives reportedly paid N21 million for her release.
The alleged gang leader, identified simply as “ID”, is still at large and being hunted by the police.
Buawe, a sawmill worker, allegedly told investigators that he had been involved in kidnapping since 2010 but had decided to quit before “ID” persuaded him to participate in the Lagos operation.
He said the gang had no specific target when they arrived in Lagos but that “ID” selected the victim after spotting her residence in Ijedodo.
According to Buawe, “ID” and another member entered the premises and brought out the woman while he and Obosi kept watch.
He alleged that the victim raised an alarm while they were taking her into a nearby bush.
A passer-by reportedly attempted to intervene but fled after “ID” fired a shot into the air.
Buawe said the woman was held in the bush for three days while “ID” negotiated with her family.
He alleged that the victim initially refused food and later ate only biscuits.
The family reportedly offered N16 million, which the gang rejected before eventually accepting N21 million.
The suspect further added that the gang received a bottle of Eagle Schnapps, a power bank and one kilogramme of frozen turkey in addition to the ransom.
Buawe claimed he received N1.5 million from the ransom proceeds and took one of the victim’s two phones.
Obosi reportedly told investigators that he joined the gang after being introduced to “ID”, whom he described as the husband of his girlfriend’s elder sister.
He said he participated because he needed money for his marriage and was recruited to translate Yoruba for the gang during operations.
Obosi claimed he received N2.5 million from the operation, while “ID” allegedly collected N200,000 from each member after they returned to Agadagba.
The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrests, saying the police were also tracking other members of the syndicate.
She warned that the command would continue to clamp down on kidnappers and other criminals, stressing that there would be no hiding place for criminals in Lagos State.
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