A 29-year-old teacher, Odugbesan Samson, has been arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command for kidnapping an eight-year-old former pupil of his school.
Samson allegedly kidnapped the victim, Rasaq Akeeb, on his way back from school at Arifanla area of Akute, on November 4, and called the boy’s mother to demand N200,000 ransom.
Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the suspect was arrested following a complain lodged at Ajuwon Police Division, by the mother of the victim, Fatimat Akeeb.
Oyeyemi said: “ Fatimat reported that her son went to school at Arifanla area of Akute but was yet to return at about 6 p.m. that day. She said she received a phone call from an unknown person who asked her to be ready to pay the sum of N200, 000 if she wishes to see her son alive.
“ She stated further that the caller told her that the boy was brought to him by somebody and he will not release him until the said amount is paid. Upon the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Andrew Akinseye, a Superintendent of Police (SP), directed his detectives to embark on technical and intelligence based investigation.
“ The investigation led to the discovery of the suspect’s hideout.
In order not to harm the victim, the suspect was lured out with part payment of his demanded ransom and he was subsequently apprehended and took detectives to where he kept the victim and the victim was rescued unhurt.
“ On interrogation, he confessed committing the crime but blame it on the devil. ”
He said the Commissioner of Police (CP) Edward Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti -Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for further investigation and prosecution.
The PPRO said the CP also appealed to parents to always be mindful of their children’s movement to and from school so as not to make them an easy prey to criminals.
