The police in Delta state have arrested a motorcycle rider for allegedly k!dnapping a three-year-old child he was employed to convey to and from school and collecting a ransom of N500,000 from the victim’s family.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a video shared on X on Thursday, July 9.
According to Edafe, the suspect had been offered a N10,000 contract to pick up the child from home and take her to school, and return her home after the school closed.
The suspect reportedly carried out the assignment for about three weeks before allegedly abducting the child instead of taking her to school.
“On that fateful day, instead of taking the child to school, he took the child elsewhere and began calling the parents with another phone line, demanding a ransom of N2m” Edafe said
The police spokesman said the suspect switched off his personal phone, making it difficult for the family to suspect his involvement in the abduction.
The family reported the incident to the police despite threats from the k!dnappers that the child would be k!lled if law enforcement authorities were contacted.
Edafe said the ransom demand was later reduced and the family eventually paid N500,000 before the child was released unharmed. An intelligence-led investigation by the police led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of part of the ransom money.
Speaking after his arrest, the suspect, identified as Kelvin Ogaga, admitted to committing the crime and claimed he was influenced by a friend identified simply as Omo.
He told police investigators that he was experiencing financial difficulties and agreed to the kidnapping plot after discussions with his friend. Ogaga also alleged that his girlfriend was aware of and involved in planning the abduction.
Edafe said investigations were ongoing to apprehend other accomplices linked to the crime.
Watch a video of the suspect being interrogated below
