Foreigners held for ‘kidnapping’, ‘looting’ in Lagos

Precious Igbonwelundu

NATIONALS of Benin and Niger republics have been arrested by police in Lagos for kidnapping and burgling  shops at Balogun Market.

Suspected kidnapper Jerome Ukena, 26, a Beninese, was arrested on February 23 in Ilaje community in Bariga.

He was alleged to have led a gang that kidnapped a woman Oluwatoyin Makinde and her six-month-old daughter at their Ikorodu residence on February 16.

It was gathered that a gang of kidnappers stormed the couple’s residence shortly after the victims returned from overseas and whisked mother and child away.

The woman’s husband, Makinde Abidemi, a witness gathered, reported the incident to the police who launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

Although the mother and child who were kept at separate locations by the kidnappers were released days after their abduction, The Nation gathered that Ukena who was the gand leader, was picked up at the Ilaje waterside a week after the kidnap by operatives attached to Bariga Division.

Upon his arrest, the suspect led detectives to the gang’s hideout at Ajegunle, Ikorodu where a three-year-old baby was found and rescued.

Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu said the phone used to demand ransom from their victims’ families were recovered from the suspected kidnapper.

“The suspect confessed to the commission of the crime. Concerted effort is being made to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.”

Three Beninese Isa Seidu, 21, Tairu Melaye, 25, Ahmad Abubakar, 30, and their Nigerian accomplice Lucky Chukwudi, 43, were paraded yesterday for alleged burglary and looting of shops at Balogun Market, Lagos.

The suspects were said to be notorious in looting shops after which they moved the stolen wares to Cotonou and Niger Republic where they sold them.

It was gathered that their last operation was arpund 2am on February 10, while allegedly breaking into a shop where they stole shoes, clothes and handbags.

The police said 97 pairs of shoes, seven fabrics, children wears and Lady’s bags were recovered from them.

Confessing to the crime, Isa told reporters that he was once sent to prison for a similar offence and was released after three months.