By Chioma Iruke
Officers of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two suspects, Desmond Okafor and Iyke Egwuonwu, for allegedly kidnapping a minor, Daniel Chukwudi, in the Ajangbadi area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said in a statement on Saturday that eight-year-old Chukwudi was lured from his parents’ house in the Aboru area of Ipaja to Ajangbadi, where he was held for ransom.
He stated that the suspects, Okafor and Egwuonwu, demanded N2.5m ransom from Chukwudi’s parents to secure his release.
Ajisebutu said, “The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two male suspects, Desmond Okafor, 21, and Iyke Egwuonwu, 34, who conspired together and kidnapped an eight-year-old boy, Daniel Chukwudi, on July 11, 2021.
“The kidnap was planned and executed by the victim’s neighbour, Desmond Okorafor, who, using his unhindered access to the family, lured the victim from his parents’ home at Aboru, Ipaja, and abducted him to Ajangbadi area of Lagos where he was kept in custody for six days before he was rescued.
“Twenty-four hours after the evil act, the suspects reached out to the victim’s parents and demanded N2.5m ransom as a condition for his release from captivity or else he would be killed.”
Ajisebutu said Chukwudi’s parents reported the incident to the Police.
“Following the report, operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau began investigation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects in their criminal hideout, while the victim was rescued from his abductors.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has directed that the suspects be charged to court, vowing that kidnappers and other criminal elements will not be allowed to operate in the state,” he added.
