Police Foil Attempt By Kidnappers To Kill Victim For Ritual

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

It was a dead end for suspected kidnappers who abducted a victim and took her into captivity before the police at Area K Command, Badagry led by ACP Hope Okafor intercepted and foiled their plan.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the 25-year old female victim, Ayomide Bello was abducted in Ibadan, Oyo State and brought to the Obele community in Badagry, Lagos where they kept her in captivity.

While in their den, they allegedly sexually assaulted her severally waiting for ransom from her family. The suspects finally decided to kill her for rituals as the ransom was not forthcoming.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that two of the suspects were arrested and the victim was safely rescued while the other accomplices were said to be at large. The incident which happened in Obele Community on Wednesday evening, attracted the attention of the residents who were angry and wanted to lynch the suspects before the police got information, moved in immediately, arrested the two suspects and rescued the victim.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the police surveillance and monitoring team who were in the area which made it easy to intercept them and rescued the victim. It was also gathered that the suspects had networks that cut across the states which made them come all the way from Ibadan in Oyo State to Badagry to carry out the operation. The identity of the suspects were yet to be disclosed as the police were said to have intensified efforts to arrest the other suspects at large.

When P.M.EXPRESS tried to reach the Area Commander to confirm the incident, she was unavailable . But the suspects were seen detained at the Command where they were being interrogated over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping act.

However, sources at the Command confirmed the incident but declined to disclose the identity of the suspects.

“It was too early to disclose their identity as we are working hard to arrest the other suspects at large” the source said.

Some of the residents who spoke to our reporter confirmed the arrest and said though the police were still keeping it secret, it has spread in the whole area and they commended the efforts of the officers of the Command.

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olumide Famous-Cole could not also be reached as calls to his line were not picked. Police sources said the Command will likely hand the suspects over to either the SARS or Anti-Kidnapping department for further investigations.