9th September, 2018
Dedeigbo Ayodeji
The Lagos State Police Command, has busted a kidnapping gang operated by a mother, Aminat Karimu Ajibola, age 60 and her two sons, Akeem Bashiru, 32 and Ojo Solomon, 26.
The police described the family as a deadly bunch of kidnappers who thrives by using the social media to lure their victims and put them in captivity until a ransom is paid.
Their hideout is located at 15, Irepodun street, Egan, Igando, Lagos.
Luck ran against them when one Ms. Bridget Obazee, approached the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Igando Police Station, CSP Taiwo Kasumu on Friday and complained to him that her brother, one Osahon Obazee, has been missing for days and that the kidnappers were threatening to kill him unless they pay N1,500,000 ransom.
She added that they warned her not to involve the police else her brother will be killed.
The DPO quickly contacted the state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, who reinforced his team with men drafted from the Intelligence Unit of the Command and together, left in search of the victim.
Same day, at about 11 am, through discreet investigation, the following suspects were arrested at the aforementioned address, namely, Aminat Kareem Ajibola, a chief priestess and custodian of an Ifa shrine, her two sons, Akeem Bashiru and Ojo Solomon.
Also rescued during the operation, were two other victims found in the apartment, namely, Fadugbagbe Akindele, male, of 7 Peace Crescent Salolo, Meiran, Lagos and one Ekwegbalu Augustine who was lured all the way from Anambra state with the promise of a job placement in an Oil company.
They had been held for weeks by the kidnappers pending payment of ransom by their families. All those rescued had been identified and reunited with their relations.
During interrogation, the youngest member of the family of kidnappers, Ojo Solomon confessed that he was able to lure out the victims with the promise of getting them an employment and to some, a gay relationship. While his mother empowers him and his brother spiritually, she uses the charms (Juju) to intimidate and instill fear in their victims.
Edgal hoped that by this feat and several others in the past, criminals ought to have seen how futile it is to carry out their trade in any part of the state no matter how far flung the area may be.
He warned that criminal elements in the state should either repent or be busted as Lagos is no hibernation ground for criminals.
He thanked the good people of Lagos state for their cooperation by way of giving the police credible and timely information.