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By Christopher Oji, Lagos
A private car driver assigned by his employer to drive her 10-year-old boy to school has been arrested for masterminding his abduction.
The driver, Kwasi Samuel, 64, had arranged the kidnapping of the boy along with his employer’s housemaid.
He and two others identified as Unnachukwu Monday,24, and Freeman Ekapebo,23, were arrested by the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos.
According to the police, the driver and his accomplices demanded a ransom of N150 million for the release of their hostages before the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of zone 2, AIG Olatoye A. Durosinmi, ordered the officer in charge of the Command’s Monitoring unit to go after them.
According to Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO ) SP Ayuba T Umma, “On March 26, 2024, at about 6 am, a resident of Millionaire Estate, Oniru reported the kidnap of her 10-year-old son and maid (names withheld for security reasons) and driver, Mr Samuel Kwasi, at the Ikoyi area of Lagos. She further revealed that the kidnappers demanded N150,000,000 ransom.
“Acting on this intelligence, a team of detectives led by CSP Tijjani Taofiq, Officer-in-Charge of the Zonal Monitoring Unit, acted swiftly utilising 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 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 that Mr Kwasi to be the principal suspect and mastermind of the kidnap.
“Mr Kwasi, 64, has confessed to demobilising the car’s tracking device before the kidnap operation. Meanwhile, the Car’s Tracking Device and a knife were recovered from the Sun Era Hotel room, Ijanikin where the suspects were lodged.
“While commending the police officers for their swift response, AIG Olatoye Durosinmi appreciates the community for their cooperation and vigilance. He also urges parents and guardians to be cautious and conduct thorough background checks when employing domestic staff.
“The Zone 2 Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Lagos and Ogun States.”
