ETIM EFFIONG
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command has arrested four members of a kidnap syndicate for kidnapping a 13-year-old girl in Onipanu area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspects: John Nelson, 21; Adeleke Ayotunde, 29; Adekunle Basit, 20, and Abey Fagbemi, 20, were picked up following a complaint lodged at Onipanu divisional headquarters, by one Adejunwon
Odunowo, had reported that her 13-year-old daughter, Susan Odunowo, was sent on an errand by her mother around 6:30 pm on May 6, 2021, but didn’t return home.
The complainant stated further that he later received an anonymous phone call, demanding ₦500,000 as ransom, if he ever wants to see his daughter again.
Upon the report, the DPO Onipanu division, CSP Bamidele Job, detailed his crack detectives, to embark on intelligence and technical based investigation, to unravel those behind the devilish act.
“On the 8th of May 2021, the detectives successfully traced one of the suspects to the Cele area of Ota, where he was arrested.
“His arrest led to the apprehension of two other members of the gang at a factory in Ota.
“It was then discovered that the victim was being kept in a room, owned by Adekunle Basit.
“Detectives swiftly moved in there, and rescued the victim unhurt”, Oyeyemi said.
The leader of the gang, Abbey Fagbemi, who took to flight immediately he heard of the arrest of his fellow gang members, was later arrested at about 7:30 am on Monday, May 10, 2021.
The victim, Oyeyemi stated, has since been reunited with her family.
Meanwhile, the Command Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, who expressed satisfaction about the quick response of his men to the incident, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the anti kidnapping section of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department, for discreet investigation and prosecution.
He also appealed to members of the public to adhere strictly to various security advice given by the command, in order not to fall victim of kidnap syndicates.