 |
| Bamigbetan and Sympathizers after release |
One of the kidnappers of the
Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, jumped to
his death at a hotel along Old Ojo road, Agboju, Lagos.
Although Bamigbetan was set free by
his abductors on Saturday night, five days after he was kidnapped, it was
learnt that police pressure could be part of the reasons he was released.
The LCDA boss returned to his house
at about 10.45pm, an hour after he was released by his abductors on Saturday.
But our correspondent gathered that
the police had been on the trail of the suspects and had actually made some
arrests.
They were about to arrest one of the
perpetrators, known as ‘Onye Army’ when he (Army) killed himself
It was learnt that operatives of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja tracked Army to the hotel, and in order to
evade being caught, he jumped from the balcony of his room on the second floor
of the building.
it was learnt that one of the suspects arrested by SARS following
Bamigbetan’s kidnap gave the police the information on Army and how to track
him.
A police source said, “Onye Army was
actually in the hotel with some members of the kidnapping gang.
“However, by the time SARS operatives
got there, other members of his group had cleared out leaving just Onye Army’
“While some of the SARS operatives
went up to his room and knocked on the door, some waited by the entrance of the
hotel. It seems, however, that Onye Army had sighted them through his window
because he refused to open up the door. When they started to force the door
open, he came out on the balcony, hoping to jump down safely and make his
escape.
“Unfortunately, it was a fatal fall.
Onye Army broke both legs and his spine; he was in serious pains. Despite all
attempts to keep him alive and lead the SARS operatives to the hideout where
his colleagues were keeping Bamigbetan, he died while being rushed to the
hospital.”
The source said Bamigbetan was set
free after the kidnappers discovered that some of their members were being
rounded up by SARS.
A family friend of the Bamigbetans who
spoke on the condition of anonymity said that a ransom of N15m was paid to
secure his release.
He said, “After the family paid the
N15m, the kidnappers reneged on the agreement and demanded another N10m.
“But to our surprise, they suddenly
released Bamigbetan on Saturday.”
The Lagos State Deputy Police Public
Relations Officer, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, said, “I can confirm that Bamigbetan has
been released.
“As for any ransom being paid, I am
not aware of that.
“I also don’t have details of the
suspect who jumped to his death. However, police investigation on this case is
still on.”
Tags
Politics