7-Year-Old Boy Helps Capture Kidnappers

A university graduate and two other suspects were arrested through the help of a seven-year-old victim.

The graduate of Economics of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Gbenga Sholaja; Olalekan Benjamin and Samson Shomorin, who specialise in kidnapping little boys, were arrested by men of the Igando Police Division and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos.

The victim (name withheld) was said to have been held hostage at Benjamin’s father’s house at Ikotun, Lagos.

The child, who was later released after ransom was paid by his parents, was said to have memorised the house address where he was kept. It was the child who led police officers to the same house where Benjamin was arrested.

Sholaja told PUNCH Metro that he was pushed by unemployment into kidnapping. He said, “I have a Second Class Upper (Division) in Accounting and have completed my National Youth Service Corps programme.

“I went into kidnapping because since I finished my NYSC in 2011, I have been unable to get a job.”