The police say seven suspected kidnappers kidnapped 4 members of a household in Abuja, collected N16.2 million ransom for the discharge of one of many victims, and demanded an extra N50 million earlier than ultimately killing her.
Victor Godfrey, the commander of the Force Intelligence Department, Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), disclosed this to journalists on Friday, whereas parading the suspects, within the presence of the deceased’s household.
Mr Godfrey, an assistant commissioner of police, stated the deceased, Oluwadamilola Adedayo, 14, was murdered after resisting an try by her abductors to sexually molest her.
He stated that Oluwadamilola was kidnapped alongside her mom, Nancy, her 12-year-old brother, David, and their housemaid, Jennifer David, at gunpoint on 23 August.
Her decomposing physique was recovered from a forest in Tukuba, Kuje, Abuja, on 19 October, following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the FID-STS.
Twelve-year-old David recounted how the abductors broke into their properties at midnight, herded them into the forest and held them captive within the mountains.
David stated Jennifer collapsed whereas trekking and was thrown right into a stream, the place the abductors lined her with leaves, believing she was useless.
The police stated Jennifer survived and located her approach again dwelling.
David revealed that his sister was killed after she injured one of many kidnappers.
“She now cut the hand of one of them. Then, from there, they got angry. They beat her. They threw rocks at her. Unfortunately, she died. They threw her off the cliff, and nobody can survive that kind of fall,” he stated.
One of the suspects, Alidu Lawal, 18, advised reporters that the deceased attacked him with a cutlass, displaying the wound on his proper wrist. Mr Lawal denied makes an attempt by any member of his gang to sexually assault the deceased.
David stated he was later tied to a tree by the abductors.
“They tied me to a tree, saying that they want to go and buy coke, but they will soon come back. So, I managed to untie myself from the tree,” he stated.
David stated he climbed down the mountain and spent the night time close to a stream. The following day, he encountered a “Fulani” herdsman, whom he repeatedly advised, “Kuje, Kuje.”
The herdsman led him to hunters, who took him to a village chief. Vigilantes subsequently took him to a hospital in Danfara, Kuje, the place his uncles discovered him, he stated.
The police commander stated the boy escaped earlier than any ransom was paid by the household, who didn’t know their daughter had been killed.
The victim’s father, Mr Adedoye, has known as for justice, expressing appreciation to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the operatives concerned within the investigation.
“The kidnapping and murder of our beloved daughter, Oluwadamilola, at this time has left our family in deep pain. However, the support and assurance from the leadership of the police force has given us strength and hope that justice will prevail,” he stated.
“We continue to appeal to the police, with the help of Almighty God, to get to the root of this matter and ensure that all those responsible for this wicked act are brought to book.”
Family paid N16.2m ransom
According to the police, the commando-style abduction occurred on 23 August 2026 in Kuchiyako, Kuje.
The deceased’s mom was launched about an hour after the kidnapping to coordinate ransom cost,
The household subsequently paid N16.2 million for the discharge of their youngsters. However, the abductors demanded one other N50 million.
Mr Godfrey, the police commander, didn’t disclose whether or not any additional cost was made.
Syndicate linked to a different abduction
The police commander stated additional investigations linked the identical syndicate to the kidnapping of a businessman, John Ali, in Kuje on 24 September.
Mr Ali, an indigene of Benue State, was launched after the abductors collected N3 million and recharge playing cards value N100,000, he stated.
The suspects had been arrested after the Inspector-General of Police’s Secretariat endorsed a petition on 15 October, prompting an intelligence-led investigation.
Two suspects had been arrested in Rijana neighborhood, Kaduna State, whereas 5 others had been apprehended in Sagbon Lugbe, Abuja, by a joint operation involving police operatives, vigilantes and different safety companies.
On 19 October, operatives led by Mr Godfrey searched the gang’s camp in Tukuba Forest, the place they recovered the deceased’s decomposing physique.
Her stays had been taken to a hospital mortuary for preservation and a attainable post-mortem, Mr Godfrey stated.
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He recognized the remaining suspects as Ishaka Abdullahi, 27; Abdullahi Dabo, 42; Abubakar Jibrin, 20; Barahu Ibrahim, 24; Sani Mohammed, 24; and Yakubu Abubakar, 28.
Mr Godfrey stated the suspects had been discovered with 4 AK-47 rifles, a domestically made revolver pistol, 63 rounds of stay ammunition, a motorbike, N400,000 and a cell phone stated to have been used for ransom negotiations.
“Investigation is ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons,” he stated, including that the IGP has reaffirmed his unit’s efforts to “sustain aggressive operations against all forms of criminality across the nation.”
Mr Godfrey urged residents to stay security-conscious and promptly report suspicious individuals or actions to the closest police station.
He vowed that such coordinated operations will likely be sustained and replicated throughout all states of the federation.
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