They paid us N5 million ransom to free Lagos fire service director, six others – Suspects confess
Joy Anyim
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The two suspects who had allegedly participated in the kidnap of the Director of Lagos State Fire Service Boss, and six others have confessed to collecting a ransom of N5 million.
The fire service boss, Mr. Rasaki Musibau and six other top officials of the service were abducted on April 6, while returning from an official function, by a seven man gang at the Ketu-Ereyun, Ikorodu-Epe road.
Three day after their abduction, the victims were rescued, after paying the ransom at Ibafun along Ikorodu -Ijebu Ode Expressway.
The suspects, Blessing Boyo and Smart Alfred, were arrested and paraded at the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu.
The suspects claimed the gang was paid the ransom in cash before the victims were released.
According to 29 year old Boyo, this was his first time as a kidnapper. He said it was their gang leader, whom he identified as MK that arranged the whole kidnap job.
Making confessional statement, Boyo said the gang leader received the ransom on behalf of the gang and was yet to share the money.
“ I am from Arogbo in Ondo State. I work and live in Ondo State as a timber operator. It was MK, who is senior friend that came to call me for a job. He brought me to Lagos. He is also an operator, but he did not tell me it was kidnapping. He took me to the bush where there were other guys waiting.
“ It was when I got to the bush that he revealed the nature of the job I was going to do. He brought out four guns and when it was time to strike, MK and one other member of the gang blocked the road with a timber.
“ While the victims were trying to pull the timber off the road, we came out from the bush and started shooting. We ordered them to come out of their vehicles and follow us and they obeyed.
“ We took them to the bush and were giving them garri and egusi soup until their release was secured. It was MK that went to collect the ransom, but he was yet to give us our share of the money before The police stormed the bush and arrested us. The other five members of the gang fled,” he said.
Alfred who is 32 years old, said he yielded to the offer because he was jobless.
The suspect who is also an indigent of Ondo State said, “ it was MK that lured me into kidnapping. He told me he had a job for me and he took me to the bush. I thought he was going to kill me, but he laughed and told me he was going to introduce me to a job that will pay me well. This is my first time.”
The police said efforts are on to arrest the other fleeing suspects.
