Suspected Kidnappers Arrested After Collecting N21m Ransom in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of an Ondo-based kidnapping syndicate over the abduction of a Lagos businesswoman.

The suspects allegedly collected N21 million from the victim’s family before releasing her after three days in captivity.

Police identified the suspects as 35-year-old Semi Buawe, Bamure Telemowei and 37-year-old Oluwatomi Obosi.

Investigators said the suspects belong to a gang operating from Agadagba in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The gang allegedly travelled to Lagos to carry out kidnapping operations.

Police sources said the suspects abducted the businesswoman from the Ijedodo area of Lagos and took her into a nearby bush.

The alleged gang leader, identified only as “ID”, remains at large. Police operatives are currently searching for him and other members of the syndicate.

Buawe, a sawmill worker, reportedly told investigators that he had participated in kidnapping since 2010.

He claimed he had decided to abandon the crime before “ID” persuaded him to join the Lagos operation.

According to him, the gang had no particular target when they arrived in Lagos. He said “ID” later selected the victim after noticing her residence in Ijedodo.

Buawe alleged that “ID” and another gang member entered the premises and brought out the woman.

He and Obosi, he said, stayed behind to keep watch during the operation.

The victim reportedly raised an alarm as the kidnappers moved her towards a nearby bush.

A passer-by allegedly tried to intervene but fled after “ID” fired a shot into the air.

Buawe said the gang kept the woman in the bush for three days while “ID” negotiated with her relatives.

He claimed the victim initially refused food and later survived on biscuits.

The family reportedly offered N16 million for her release. The kidnappers rejected the offer before agreeing to N21 million.

Buawe also alleged that the gang received other items alongside the ransom. They included a bottle of Eagle Schnapps, a power bank and one kilogramme of frozen turkey.

He claimed that he received N1.5 million from the ransom and took one of the victim’s two mobile phones.

Obosi, another suspect, reportedly said he joined the gang after “ID” introduced him to the operation.

He described “ID” as the husband of his girlfriend’s elder sister.

Obosi claimed that financial pressure and plans for his marriage influenced his decision to participate.

He also said the gang recruited him to translate Yoruba during their operations.

According to him, he received N2.5 million from the Lagos operation.

He further alleged that “ID” collected N200,000 from each member after they returned to Agadagba.

The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrests.

She said operatives were tracking other members of the syndicate linked to the kidnapping.

Adebisi warned that the command would sustain its crackdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

She also assured residents that the police would continue efforts to prevent criminals from using Lagos as a base for their operations.