Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two members of a kidnap syndicate who kidnapped a 25-year-old woman, Mariam Fagbohun, and subsequently murdered her 50-year-old mother in the process.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
It was gathered that Maraim Fagbohun, who runs a provision store and a bar, was abducted by a six-man kidnapping gang in Ijoun, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State on August 21, 2020 while she was on her way home from the shop.
In the process of abducting her, she raised an alarm, which attracted people around, including her mother, Annah Fagbohun.
According to the PPRO, while the people around were trying to chase the abductors with the aim of rescuing her, the kidnappers shot into their midst and the bullet hit the victim’s mother.
She died on the spot.
Oyeyemi said a distress call was made to the police, consequent upon which the DPO of Egua Division, CSP Kalejaiye Olarenwaju, led his men to the scene and with the collaboration of members of the community, they were able to rescue the victim and apprehend one member of the gang, Jimoh Fayemi, who is from Omu-Odo in Ekiti State.
Upon his arrest, the Command’s Commissioner, Edward Ajogun, directed that Fayemi be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Section, with a clear mandate that the other members of the gang must be hunted for and taken to Court.
Oyeyemi said the team embarked on a technical and intelligence-based investigation, which led to the arrest of another member of the gang in Ekiti State, James Arowolo, 47, who is from Obo-Ayegunle in Kwara State.
He said: “On interrogation, the duo confessed to having been contracted by one man simply known as ‘Ade’ and his friend known as ‘Doctor’ who live in the same neighbourhood with the victim to come and swindle her of a huge sum of money.
“Having realised that the woman will not fall into their trap, they decided to kidnap her and demand for ransom.
“Recovered from them are three single barrel guns, 12live cartridges and face mask.”
Oyeyemi added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a massive manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang and the arrested ones to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.