Kidnapper killed after abducting DSP in his home

Taiwo Jimoh

A suspected kidnapper has been killed after abducting a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Patrick Ewuru, in his home at, Agbowa, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, while his partner was arrested.

The deceased was said to have met his death after abducting the Ewuru in his home at Agbowa area of the metropolis.

According to the Lagos State Police Spokesman, Chike Oti, who confirmed the incident, the gang of kidnappers was tailed by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Lagos State Command. While one of the suspects, Festus Abama was gunned down, Austin Ebimiyenwei was arrested.

Speaking on the slain suspect and the one arrested, Oti alleged that the duo belonged to a kidnapping syndicate, which had been terrorising some parts of the state, particularly Ikorodu. He added that two other suspects escaped with bullet wounds after exchanged of gunfire with the police.

He further said: “The Anti-kidnapping Squad of the State Command, acted on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi. On Friday, at about 11 a.m, the Command received two separate reports on November 13 and 16 from Suleiman Eniola and Veronica Ewuru about the kidnapping of their daughter and husband respectively. Suleiman Eniola reported that his seven-year-old daughter was kidnapped from his house in his presence. Veronica Ewuru stated that her husband, DSP Patrick Ewuru, a police officer attached to Force Headquarters Annex, Obalende, was kidnapped from their house in the night when the victim came out to check on their generator, which suddenly stopped working. The kidnappers demanded for ransom of N25 million from Mr Suleiman and N10 million from the family of DSP Patrick Ewuru but later settled for N500, 000 for both families.

“At this point, the CP directed operatives handling the matter to play along with the kidnappers in the interest of the victims, who were still in their captivity.”

Oti, however, said that as soon as the release of the two victims was secured, the kidnappers’ hideout at Agbowa was busted, where Abama was killed and Ebimiyenwei surrendered.

Oti added that the arrested suspect confessed to the crime, while the victims have identified them as those that kidnapped them.

He said that concerted effort was being made to arrest those on the run.