A 25-year-old suspected kidnapper, Musa Shaibu, has confessed to plotting an escape abroad using his share of a N20 million ransom demanded for the release of a kidnapped teenager in Lagos State.
Shaibu, identified as a member of a kidnapping syndicate, was arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command in the Ajegunle area after allegedly abducting a teenage boy, Hassan, the son of a Bureau De Change operator, from their home in Olodi-Apapa.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the gang demanded N20 million from the victim’s father. Shaibu reportedly told investigators, “Our plan was not to harm the boy but to collect N20 million from his wealthy father. I planned to travel abroad with my share of the money.”
The victim’s father had reported the abduction to the police on May 1, 2025. Detectives were immediately deployed to the ransom drop-off point, a filling station near Wema Bridge in Apapa, where Shaibu was apprehended.
Further investigation led officers to a hotel in Ajegunle, where the teenage victim was rescued unharmed. The hotel manager was also taken into custody for questioning. The victim has since been reunited with his family, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the gang.
Police Rescue Two More Kidnap Victims in Ikorodu
In a related development, the Lagos State Police Command rescued two individuals who were abducted last Thursday at the Ijede Creekside in Ikorodu.
CSP Hundeyin, in a statement issued on Monday, said a distress call was received around 10:00 p.m. on Thursday reporting gunfire in the Ijede Creekside area. A swift response followed, with over 15 police tactical teams, detectives, conventional officers, local vigilantes, hunters, and residents mobilised to the scene.
Upon arrival, it was confirmed that two residents had been abducted by unidentified gunmen who fled through the creek and into nearby forest areas.
Acting on the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, a coordinated rescue operation was launched. Security personnel and community members strategically sealed off exit routes across the creek and forest.
The operation led to the safe release of the victims by 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. They were unharmed and have since been reunited with their families.
Hundeyin added that joint efforts with local security groups are ongoing to comb the creek and surrounding areas to locate and apprehend the kidnappers, and to prevent further incidents.
He commended the bravery and cooperation of all involved in the successful rescue and reiterated the command’s dedication to protecting all Lagos residents. He also urged the public, especially those living in remote or difficult terrains like Ijede Creek, to remain alert and security-conscious.
