The Lagos State Police Command has
arrested the driver of a hotel operator on Victoria Island, William
Olowoloju, for allegedly kidnapping his boss’ younger brother and the
victim’s girlfriend.
arrested the driver of a hotel operator on Victoria Island, William
Olowoloju, for allegedly kidnapping his boss’ younger brother and the
victim’s girlfriend.
Olowoloju and three others –Ayo Akinola,
Segun Teluwo and one Akindamola – reportedly kidnapped the victims,
Dumebi Azuka and Rebecca Omokoro, on Elegba Festival Drive, Oniru
Private Estate, Victoria Island, at about 11.30pm on Saturday, October
21.
Segun Teluwo and one Akindamola – reportedly kidnapped the victims,
Dumebi Azuka and Rebecca Omokoro, on Elegba Festival Drive, Oniru
Private Estate, Victoria Island, at about 11.30pm on Saturday, October
21.
The lovers were driving out of the
estate in a Ford Jeep when the abductors reportedly waylaid them at
gunpoint and tied them up.
estate in a Ford Jeep when the abductors reportedly waylaid them at
gunpoint and tied them up.
They were said to have driven the
victims to their hideout in Agodo Alara village, Ogijo, Ogun State, and
demanded N20m ransom from the hotelier, Edwin Azuka.
victims to their hideout in Agodo Alara village, Ogijo, Ogun State, and
demanded N20m ransom from the hotelier, Edwin Azuka.
PUNCH Metro learnt that after
the case was reported to the police, operatives of the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad trailed the suspects to the den.
the case was reported to the police, operatives of the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad trailed the suspects to the den.
The Acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos
State, Edgal Imohimi, who paraded the suspects on Tuesday, said the
victims were rescued unhurt.
State, Edgal Imohimi, who paraded the suspects on Tuesday, said the
victims were rescued unhurt.
He said, “Apart from the Jeep with
number plate, LND 995 ES, one locally-made gun, a battle knife and four
Automated Teller Machine cards, among others, were recovered from them.
number plate, LND 995 ES, one locally-made gun, a battle knife and four
Automated Teller Machine cards, among others, were recovered from them.
“The suspects will soon be charged to court on completion of investigation.”
Also paraded were 50 suspected cult
members, armed robbers, and drug peddlers arrested in the Ikorodu,
Oshodi and Lagos Island areas of the state.
members, armed robbers, and drug peddlers arrested in the Ikorodu,
Oshodi and Lagos Island areas of the state.
“The command once again appeals to the
people of Lagos to be vigilant to make the state safe and secure.
Whenever you see something, say something,” Imohimi added.
people of Lagos to be vigilant to make the state safe and secure.
Whenever you see something, say something,” Imohimi added.
Speaking with our correspondent,
Olowoloju, who hails from Ekiti State, said he had approached his boss
to give him a N100,000 loan sometime in September, but the boss turned
down his request.
Olowoloju, who hails from Ekiti State, said he had approached his boss
to give him a N100,000 loan sometime in September, but the boss turned
down his request.
The 37-year-old driver, who said he
wanted to use the money for his in-law’s burial, explained that he felt
disappointed and met with a friend, Akindamola, who advised him to
kidnap Dumebi.
wanted to use the money for his in-law’s burial, explained that he felt
disappointed and met with a friend, Akindamola, who advised him to
kidnap Dumebi.
He said, “Akindamola said I would get
the money if I kidnap my boss’ younger brother, Dumebi. I agreed with
him, but I did not know how to go about it. He said he knew somebody who
could make it work. He discussed with Segun and Ayo and they said there
was no problem.
the money if I kidnap my boss’ younger brother, Dumebi. I agreed with
him, but I did not know how to go about it. He said he knew somebody who
could make it work. He discussed with Segun and Ayo and they said there
was no problem.
“We did not hurt him and his girlfriend.
I was not around when they (the gang members) demanded N20m. I went to
buy drinks for the victims.”
I was not around when they (the gang members) demanded N20m. I went to
buy drinks for the victims.”
Olowoloju added that Akindamola was released by the police on Monday.
The command, however, denied that
Akindamola was released, saying he was a “soft target” the police
trailed to arrest the gang members, adding that he was still at large.
Akindamola was released, saying he was a “soft target” the police
trailed to arrest the gang members, adding that he was still at large.
Akinola, 22, an indigene of Akure, Ondo
State, said the gang members spent a night with Williams on the estate
to perfect their plan.
State, said the gang members spent a night with Williams on the estate
to perfect their plan.
He said, “Williams invited us. He
promised to give us money. We stopped the man’s car and pointed a gun at
him. We drove him and the woman to Ogijo. We did not plan to kidnap the
woman.
promised to give us money. We stopped the man’s car and pointed a gun at
him. We drove him and the woman to Ogijo. We did not plan to kidnap the
woman.
“We demanded N20m but he said he did not
have money. He said he just invested his money in a business. In the
night of the following day, we looked for a motorcycle and took them to a
place where they could find their way back home.”
have money. He said he just invested his money in a business. In the
night of the following day, we looked for a motorcycle and took them to a
place where they could find their way back home.”
Teluwo, who owned the gun used for the
operation, said, “I found the gun in an Ogun shrine on a construction
site in Ikorodu. This is the first time I would participate in
kidnapping.”
operation, said, “I found the gun in an Ogun shrine on a construction
site in Ikorodu. This is the first time I would participate in
kidnapping.”