By Bina Susan
National News – The Delta State Police Command has arrested a commercial motorcyclist for allegedly kidnapping a three-year-old girl he was hired to transport to and from school and collecting a ransom of N500,000 from her family.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the arrest in a video shared on Thursday, explaining that the suspect had been employed by the child’s parents to take her to school and return her home daily for a monthly payment of N10,000.
According to Edafe, the suspect carried out the assignment for about three weeks before allegedly abducting the child instead of taking her to school.
He said the suspect took the child to a different location and began contacting the family through another phone line, initially demanding a ransom of N2 million. To avoid suspicion, the suspect reportedly switched off his personal telephone.
Despite threats that the child would be killed if the police were informed, the family reported the incident to law enforcement authorities. The kidnappers later reduced their demand, and the family paid N500,000 before the child was released unharmed.
Edafe said the command immediately launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of part of the ransom money.
The suspect, identified as Kelvin Ogaga, reportedly confessed during interrogation, claiming he was persuaded by a friend identified simply as Omo to carry out the abduction due to financial hardship.
He also alleged that his girlfriend was aware of and participated in planning the kidnapping.
The police spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate allegedly involved in the crime.
He urged parents and guardians to exercise caution by conducting proper background checks before entrusting their children to caregivers, transporters, or other service providers.
“The good part is that the child is safe, the suspect has been arrested, and part of the ransom money has been recovered,” Edafe said.
Police said investigations are continuing with a view to apprehending other suspects connected to the kidnapping.
