Juliana Francis
The Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos State, has three suspects, who kidnapped a 10-year-old boy, a maid and a driver and thereafter demanded N150m as ransom.
The suspects have been identified as Kwasi Samuel, 64, Unnachukwu Monday, 24 and Freeman Ekpebo 23.
According to the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, a Superintendent of Police, Ayuba Umma, the feats would not have been achieved without the leadership of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Olatoye A. Durosinmi.
The image manager explained: “On March 26, 2024, at about 6:am, a resident of Millionaire Estate, Oniru, Lagos, reported the kidnap of her 10 years old son, maid and her driver, Mr Samuel Kwasi at the Ikoyi area of Lagos.
“She further revealed that the kidnappers demanded N150million ransom. Acting on this intelligence, a team of detectives led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, Tijjani Taofiq, who is the Officer-in-Charge of the Zonal Monitoring Unit, acted swiftly utilizing advanced tracking techniques and intelligence gathering.
“The team pinpointed the kidnappers’ hideout in the Ayetoro area of Ijanikin, Badagry road, Lagos. On March 28, 2024, at approximately 3:40 PM, officers raided the hideout at Cozzy Hotel, Ijaniki where one of the suspects, Nnachukwu Monday, was arrested and the victims were rescued unharmed.
“In a coordinated operation, Mr. Samuel Kwasi, the driver and one Freeman Ekpebo were apprehended at Sun Era Hotel, Ijanikin, where they were allegedly waiting to receive the ransom. Investigation revealed Mr. Kwasi to be the principal suspect and mastermind of the kidnap.”
Umma further said that Kwasi had confessed to demobilizing the car’s tracking device before the operation. Meanwhile, the Car’s Tracking Device and a Knife were recovered from the Hotel room at Sun Era Hotel, Ijanikin where the suspects were lodged.
While commending the Police Officers for their swift response, Durosinmi appreciated the community’s cooperation and vigilance.
He also urged parents and guardians to be cautious and to conduct thorough background checks when employing domestic staff.
