Kidnapper arrested after failed attempt to kidnap 5-year-old boy

A suspected kidnapper, one Tope Akingbemila, who had attempted to kidnap a five-year-old boy simply identified as Dayo was arrested by Ketu Police Division.

It was gathered that the suspect and three others had already dragged the victim into a tricycle popularly known as Keke Marwa and had attempted to flee with him before he was caught by bystanders.

An angry mob chased and arrested Tope while the three others escaped. Tope confessed that he had actively participated in three other kidnap operations that were successful.

Tope admitted that his job was to kidnap children and demand ransom. He said: “I am a kidnapper. That is how I make my money. I have successfully kidnapped three children with my partners and collected a ransom of N500,000 each.

“I was brought into the business by Baba Fatai, a babalawo (medicine man). Even when Baba Fatai said he had retired, I continued because it is lucrative.”

Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide said the suspect had been cooperating with the police to assist them track the fleeing gang members, adding that investigation is in progress.