Lagos police bust kidnap gang’s hideout, kill one
Police authorities in Lagos have confirmed the arrest of an alleged kidnapper and the killing of another after a raid on their hideout in Agbowa, Ikorodu.
The suspects, Festus Abama and Austine Inuesokan Ebimiyenwei, had allegedly kidnapped a 7-year-old and a policeman.
Police say the incidents were reported by Suleiman Eniola Ajumobi, the child’s mother, and Veronica Ewuru, the policeman’s husband, on November 13 and 16 respectively.
“While Ajumobi reported that his 7-year-old daughter was kidnapped from his house in his presence, Veronica Ewuru stated that her husband, one DSP Patrick Ewuru, a police officer attached to Force Headquarters annex, Obalende, was kidnapped from their house in the night when the victim came out to check on the power generating set that suddenly stopped working,” police said in a statement on Sunday.
The kidnappers were said to have later demanded for N25m ransom from Suleiman before his daughter could be released and N10m from the family of DSP Ewuru.
Police swooped in on the suspects’ hideout while pretending to play along with the kidnappers. They engaged the suspects in a gun battle as soon the victims regained freedom.
Abama was killed in the ensuing gun battle, while Austine surrendered. Two other members were said to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
