By Emmanuel Daniji

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 resident 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 sources said the suspects were members of a gang allegedly operating from Agadagba in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, but travelling to Lagos to carry out kidnapping operations.

The gang allegedly abducted a businesswoman in the Ijedodo area of Lagos and held her captive for three days before her relatives reportedly paid N21 million for her release.

The alleged gang leader, identified only as “ID”, remains at large and is being hunted by the police.

Buawe, a sawmill worker, allegedly told investigators that he had been involved in kidnapping since 2010 but had decided to quit before “ID” persuaded him to participate in the Lagos operation.

He reportedly said the gang had no specific target when they arrived in Lagos, adding that “ID” selected the victim after spotting her residence in Ijedodo.

According to the account attributed to Buawe, “ID” and another gang member entered the premises and brought out the woman while he and Obosi kept watch.

He alleged that the victim raised an alarm while they were taking her towards a nearby bush, prompting a passer-by to attempt an intervention.

The passer-by reportedly fled after “ID” allegedly fired a shot into the air.

Buawe said the victim was kept in the bush for three days while “ID” negotiated with her family.

He allegedly told investigators that the woman initially refused food and later ate only biscuits.

The victim’s family reportedly offered N16 million, but the gang rejected the amount before eventually agreeing to accept N21 million.

Buawe further alleged that the gang received a bottle of Eagle Schnapps, a power bank and one kilogramme of frozen turkey in addition to the ransom.

He reportedly said he received N1.5 million from the ransom proceeds and took one of the victim’s two phones.

Obosi, on his part, allegedly told investigators that he joined the gang after being introduced to “ID”, whom he described as the husband of his girlfriend’s elder sister.

He said he became involved because he needed money for his marriage and was recruited to translate Yoruba for the gang during operations.

Obosi reportedly claimed that he 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 Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrests and said efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate.

She warned that the command would continue its crackdown on kidnappers and other criminal elements, stressing that there would be no hiding place for criminals in Lagos State.

The suspects remain under investigation, while the alleged gang leader and other members still at large are being pursued by the police.