CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Lagos State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the fight against violent crimes with the arrest of a member of suspected kidnapping syndicate, who allegedly kidnapped a 14-year old boy and kept him in a hotel in Ajegunle for N20m ransom.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the victim, identified as Hassan, was rescued at the hotel and the 41-year old hotel manager,
Remilekun Ajilola, was also arrested by the Police during the operation while other members of the gang were said to be on the run.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, at the State Headquarters while briefing on their activities within the two weeks in view.
According to him, the Police rescued the victim, Hassan, at the hotel after he was kidnapped in the Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos, having received a report on 1st May, 2025, around 2:50 p.m that the kidnappers were demanding N20m ransom for his release.
Based on the information, he stated that the Police officers quickly moved to the ransom drop-off point at Total Filling Station near Wema Bridge in Apapa and it paid off.
The Police arrested one of the suspects, 25-year-old Musa Shaibu, who made confessional statements and led the Police to the hotel where they kept the victim for the ransom.
“The Police found Hassan in a hotel in Ajegunle and safely rescued him without any injuries after which the hotel manager, 41-year-old Remilekun Ajilola, was also arrested and currently being investigated as a suspect.” he stated.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin stated that it was one of several breakthrough of the Police in the last two weeks including the arrest of 27 suspects from various areas across the State for different crimes like murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and cult activities.
He also revealed that the Police recovered guns, knives, charms and other dangerous weapons as exhibits.
The Police spokesperson, CSP Hundeyin, said that the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, is working hard to keep Lagos safe as well as put criminal in their place for good.
“We would like to use this medium to assure all residents and visitors to Lagos State that under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, that crime and criminality would be brought to a minimum as we would continue to ensure optimal management and deployment of human and operational resources across the entire length and breadth of the State. We implore Lagosians not to hesitate to contact the police if they see any suspicious activities around them,” CSP Hundeyin stated.
He also said that the suspects will be charged before the Court for the various offenses under the Criminal Laws of the State but that will be after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.