Police Arrest Man For Kidnapping His Brother In Law In Lagos
A 38 year old man, William Owolabi, is currently in the police net in Lagos for masterminding the kidnap of his boss’ brother in law, one Hilary Azuka, 36, and his girlfriend, Rebecca Omokaro, 32, at the Oniru area of Lagos state.
The Suspects, Owolabi and two of his accomplices, were paraded at the Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday by the Acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Edgal Imohimi.
Speaking on the arrest, the CP said that “on October 21st 2017, at about 2:30 a.m, four armed men, later known to be kidnappers, trailed Hilary Azuka and one Rebecca Omokaro to their house at Plot 2, Block 7, Elegba Festival Drive, Oniru Private Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“The kidnappers tied the legs and hands of the victims and plastered their mouths with cello tape. They took them with their Ford Jeep with Reg No. LND 995 ES to their hide out at Agodo Alara, Ogijo, in Ogun State. Upon information received by this office, SARS detectives swung into action and arrested one William Owolabi, Ayo Akinola and Segun Teluwo. Investigations conducted so far revealed that the group demanded N20 million as ransom from the victims before they will release them.
“The mastermind of the kidnap is one of the victim’s elder sister’s driver known as William. Police recovered one locally made shot gun, one battle knife, nylon cello-tape, four ATM cards and one Ford Jeep with Reg No. LND 995 ES. Diligent investigation will be conducted and the suspects will be charged to court.”
Revealing the reason for masterminding their kidnap, the alleged prime suspect, Owolabi, told journalists that he planned the kidnap to raise money for his wife’s father’s burial.
“It started last month when my wife and i were levied N180, 000 which I did not have. I told my boss, who is a white man, that I needed a loan of N100, 000 for a burial but he said there was no money. I discussed with a friend of mine, one Akin Adedamola, and he told me that we can kidnap my boss’ brother and get more than enough for the burial.
“Akin went with us for the operation. We trailed Azuka to the ‘Why Not’ hotel where he usually hangs out at night. He was drunk and sitting in his car, that was when the idea to kidnap him hit me. We followed him to the house and when he got to the gate, we swooped on the victim and turned the car back to our base at Ogijo. Akin was with us all through the operation, I went to buy drinks while the others kept watch over them.”
Ayo, the second suspect, accused Owolabi of demanding N20 million before the suspect can be released, an allegation Owolabi denied.
“ We were however surprised that the police got my wife and my wife led them to me. She never knew of my plan until the police arrested her,” he said.
Owolabi accused the police of releasing Akin Adedamola, one of the gang members who allegedly participated in the kidnap.
He said, “When we were arrested and taken to SARS, we gave our statements but the police released Adedamola. He is not in detention with us, ” he said.
