“I Planned To Flee Abroad With Ransom Money” — Suspected Kidnapper Confesses After Arrest In Lagos

Ikeja, Lagos State– A 25-year-old suspected kidnapper, Musa Shaibu, has confessed that he planned to travel abroad with his share of the ransom money his gang demanded after abducting a teenager in Lagos State.

Shaibu, who was arrested by the police in the Ajegunle area, was among a five-man gang that allegedly kidnapped 14-year-old Hassan, the son of a Bureau De Change operator, from their home in the Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos.

The gang demanded N20 million for the boy’s release.

“Our intention was not to harm the boy, but to collect the sum of N20 million from his rich father. I would have travelled overseas with my own share of the money,” Shaibu reportedly told investigators during interrogation.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim’s father on May 1, 2025, at about 4:50 p.m.

“Detectives from the command swiftly acted on the report and deployed operatives to the agreed point of ransom collection at a filling station near Wema Bridge in Apapa,” Hundeyin said.

“One of the kidnappers, Musa Shaibu, was arrested at the scene.”

He added that the police subsequently stormed a hotel in Ajegunle, where the victim was held.

The boy was rescued unharmed and has since been reunited with his family. The manager of the hotel was also taken into custody for further investigation.

Hundeyin confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.