Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three suspected members of an Ondo-based kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of a Lagos businesswoman and the collection of N21 million ransom.
The suspects were identified as 35-year-old Semi Buawe, Bamure Telemowei and 37-year-old Oluwatomi Obosi. Police said they were members of a gang based in Agadagba, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, which allegedly travelled to Lagos to carry out kidnapping operations.
According to police sources, the gang abducted the businesswoman in the Ijedodo area of Lagos and held her captive for three days before her relatives paid N21 million for her release.
The alleged gang leader, identified only as “ID”, remains at large and is being pursued by the police.
Buawe, a sawmill worker, reportedly told investigators that he had been involved in kidnapping since 2010 but had decided to quit until “ID” persuaded him to participate in the Lagos operation.
He said the gang had no specific target when they arrived in Lagos, adding that “ID” selected the victim after spotting her residence in Ijedodo.
Buawe allegedly said “ID” and another gang member entered the premises and brought out the woman while he and Obosi kept watch.
The victim reportedly raised an alarm as she was being taken towards a nearby bush, prompting a passer-by to attempt a rescue. The person, however, fled after “ID” allegedly fired a shot into the air.
The woman was subsequently held in the bush for three days while the gang negotiated with her family.
Buawe said the family initially offered N16 million, but the gang rejected the amount before eventually accepting N21 million.
In addition to the ransom, the gang allegedly received a bottle of Eagle Schnapps, a power bank and one kilogramme of frozen turkey.
Buawe reportedly said he received N1.5 million from the ransom and also took one of the victim’s two phones.
Obosi, on his part, allegedly told investigators that he was introduced to the gang by “ID”, whom he described as the husband of his girlfriend’s elder sister.
He said he joined the operation because he needed money for his marriage and was recruited to translate Yoruba for the gang.
Obosi reportedly received N2.5 million from the operation, while “ID” allegedly collected N200,000 from each member after they returned to Agadagba.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrests, saying efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
Adebisi warned that the command would continue its crackdown on kidnappers and other criminals, stressing that there would be no hiding place for criminals in Lagos State.