…Demands N10m ransom from employer
Joy Anyim
Operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 26-year-old lady, identified as Ataghar Namdoo, who allegedly plotted her own kidnap.
Namdoo, a mother of one, from Benue State, had allegedly connived with her boyfriend, Emmanuel Idu and another, identified as Okpe David, to carry out the criminal act.
Police investigation revealed that Idu and David had taken Namdoo to a bush where they recorded a short video of her tied and blindfolded in the bush, demanding for N10 million ransom.
In another video that was sent to Namdoo’s employers, her accomplice were said to have covered their faces with masks, while holding a jack knife and threatening to kill her, if the said ransom was not paid promptly.
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According to the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Elkana Bala, when the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, received complaints of the kidnap, he ordered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to rescue the alleged victim as well as arrest her captors.
Bala confirmed that Namdoo and David had been arrested, while efforts were on to arrest Idu, who is on the run.
Explaining how the planned kidnap played out, the Lagos State PPRO said, “Namdoo conspired with her boyfriend, Idu, and his friend, David, to produce a short video of herself blindfolded and driven to a bush in a truck.
“In a second video, the lady, a mother of one, was seen in a bush at Sangotedo area of Ajah, being threatened by a man wearing a mask and holding a Jack knife.
“Police later identified the masked man as Idu. The abductors were demanding for N10 million as ransom in the video.
“The two videos were sent to the employers of the lady with a threat to kill her and to also go after the family of the employer if the ransom is not paid. “Frightened by the threat contained in the video and the follow-up calls, the said employers, who are into Fleet business, reported the case to the Police.
“On the receipt of the case, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, ordered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to carry out an in depth investigate into the case.
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“The videos were thoroughly analysed alongside other vital leads. A well-coordinated operation was put in place which led to the successful rescue of the self arranged victim of the abduction and the arrest David.
“The Command has taken steps to verify the claim made by David that he is a military personnel. Police have equally launched a manhunt of the second male suspect, Idu, who is on the run.
“David confessed to have provided the truck used in driving the girl to the bush. The truck was actually driven by him. He also did the video recordings sent to the employer of the Lady.
“Both suspects confessed to the commission of the crime. They stated that their aim was to extort money from the girl’s employers which they intended to share among themselves.”
Bala also noted that it was a criminal offence for anyone to fake his or her kidnap, “under the Lagos State laws, the offender upon conviction, is liable to 14years imprisonment.”
He said the suspects would be charged to court.
