Mother, Accomplice Arrested After Allegedly Faking 2-Year-Old Son’s Kidnap, Demanding N15m Ransom
The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a shocking alleged kidnapping plot in which a mother reportedly conspired with an accomplice to stage the abduction of her two-year-old child and demand millions of Naira as ransom.
The development was uncovered by operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) during an intelligence-led investigation into the reported disappearance of the child.
The Police also announced the arrest of two suspected members of a separate kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate in another intelligence-driven operation.
According to a statement issued by the Force spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, Police operatives arrested Nansik Wuyep Sule, 34, in connection with the reported kidnapping of two-year-old Rito Jesse Davou.
The Police investigation reportedly took an unexpected turn after detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the child’s abduction had not occurred as initially reported.
Mother allegedly conspired with suspect
According to the Police, investigation revealed that Sule allegedly conspired with the child’s biological mother, Catherine Davou, to stage the kidnapping and create the impression that the toddler had been abducted by unknown persons.
The alleged scheme reportedly began with a ransom demand of N7 million, which the suspects allegedly presented as the amount required to secure the child’s release.
However, investigators later discovered that the child was allegedly being kept at Sule’s residence.
Rather than ending the alleged scheme, a subsequent ransom demand of N15 million was reportedly made.
Global Mirror News gathered from the Police statement that the suspects allegedly attempted to maintain the appearance that the child was being held by kidnappers, while demands for money were communicated to members of the family.
Police also arrested another suspect identified as Luka Emmanuel Butdam, who was allegedly involved in making telephone calls to the child’s grandmother in connection with the ransom demand.
Two-year-old rescued
The intelligence-led investigation eventually led Police operatives to the location where the child was allegedly being kept.
The two-year-old, Rito Jesse Davou, was subsequently located and safely rescued by the authorities.
The Police said the child received medical attention following the rescue and was later handed over to his biological father.
The development has raised concerns over the growing sophistication of criminal schemes in which alleged kidnappers and their collaborators exploit family relationships and the emotional vulnerability of relatives to obtain ransom payments.
The Police said further investigation would be conducted to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged staged kidnapping and determine the extent of involvement of all persons connected to the case.
Police arrest suspected kidnapping, armed robbery syndicate
In a separate intelligence-led operation, operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team arrested Idris Mohammed, also known as Yellow, and Mohammed Bello Adams over their alleged involvement in kidnapping and other related criminal activities.
The suspects were allegedly linked to the kidnapping of a commercial driver identified as Idris Zakari Baba.
According to the Police, investigators discovered that the victim was allegedly lured by Mohammed under the pretext of hiring him to convey him from Abuja to Zaria.
The journey, however, allegedly turned into a kidnapping operation after armed men intercepted the vehicle.
The commercial driver was reportedly taken into a bush and held captive by the suspected kidnappers.
The gang subsequently demanded a ransom of N3 million for the victim’s release.
The ransom was reportedly paid, after which the victim was released.
Suspect allegedly caught trying to sell victim’s car
The Police said investigators continued to trace the victim’s vehicle following the incident.
The vehicle, identified as a 2012 Toyota Corolla, was eventually traced to Bauchi State.
According to the Police, operatives recovered the vehicle while Mohammed was allegedly attempting to sell it.
The recovery of the car reportedly provided investigators with additional evidence in the ongoing investigation into the alleged kidnapping operation.
Global Mirror News gathered that detectives subsequently expanded the investigation to determine whether the suspects were connected to other kidnapping incidents.
N10.5m ransom allegedly paid for Pastor, driver
Further investigation allegedly linked the suspects to another kidnapping operation involving Pastor David Dahni and his driver, Abdullahi Abubakar.
The two victims were reportedly abducted by the suspected criminal network, with the police alleging that a ransom of N10.5 million was paid to secure their release.
The Police said investigations are continuing into the alleged activities of the suspects and their associates.
Authorities are expected to establish the wider structure of the suspected criminal network, identify other persons who may have participated in the alleged offences and determine whether the suspects are connected to additional kidnapping or armed robbery cases.
The arrests and recoveries form part of the Nigeria Police Force’s ongoing intelligence-led efforts to disrupt kidnapping syndicates and other organised criminal networks operating across different parts of the country.
The Force urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly provide useful information to security agencies whenever they notice suspicious activities that could assist in preventing crime or rescuing victims.
The police further reiterated the importance of intelligence gathering and community cooperation in the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of organised crime.
Meanwhile, all suspects arrested in connection with the investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
