Policemen from Ogun State Command have arrested a 29-year-old teacher, Odugbesan Ayodele Samson, in connection with the kidnap of his eight-year-old former pupil.
The ex-pupil, Rasaq (surname withheld) was reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.
Information gathered by Reporters At Large revealed that the suspect was arrested after the victim’s mother, Fatimat Akeeb, reported at Ajuwon police station that her son went to school at Arifanla area of Akute, but had yet to return home at about 6pm.
The mother said she was surprised when she got a phone call from an unknown person, who asked her for N200,000 if she wished to see her son alive.
According to the state police image-maker, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who shed light on the suspect’s arrest, the victim’s mother stated further that the caller told her that the boy was brought to him by someone, and he would not release him until the said amount had been paid as ransom.
The PPRO said that the report made the Divisional Police Officer of Ajuwon division, SP Andrew Akinseye to tell detectives to embark on technical and intelligence-based investigation.
This, he said further, led to the discovery of the suspect’s hideout.
“In order not to harm the victim, the suspect was lured out with part payment of the demanded ransom, and he was subsequently apprehended.
“He took the police detectives to where he kept the victim, and the boy was rescued unhurt.
“When interrogated, the suspect confessed to committing the crime, but blamed it on the devil,” the PPRO said.
He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.