A 14-year-old boy abducted in the Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos has been rescued by police, following a swift operation that led to the arrest of one of the kidnappers.
The suspect, a 25-year-old man identified as Musa Shaibu, was nabbed in Ajegunle, Lagos, after a failed attempt to collect a ransom of N20 million.
The kidnapping incident, which occurred on May 1, 2025, shocked residents of the Olodi-Apapa area.
The victim, whose name was given as Hassan, is the son of a Bureau De Change operator.
He was abducted from his family’s home by a gang of five men.
According to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the crime was reported by the victim’s father.
He explained that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for the boy’s release.
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“On May 1, 2025, at about 4:50 p.m., detectives of the command received a report from a complainant,” Hundeyin said.
“He reported that his son, one Hassan, aged 14, was kidnapped by a group of suspected kidnappers at Olodi-Apapa area and that the sum of N20 million ransom was demanded for his release.”
Following the report, police detectives were mobilized to the agreed ransom collection point, located at a filling station around Wema Bridge in Apapa.
It was at this point that one of the kidnappers, Musa Shaibu, was caught and arrested.
“Based on the report, operatives were immediately deployed to the point of ransom collection.
The team arrested one of the kidnappers, Musa Shaibu, aged 25,” CSP Hundeyin confirmed.
Further investigations led the operatives to a hotel in the Ajegunle area where the boy was being held.
The victim was rescued unharmed and has since been reunited with his family.
The hotel manager was also taken into custody for further questioning.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that the abduction was motivated by the victim’s father’s wealth.
He confessed, “Our intention was not to harm the boy, but to collect the sum of N20 million from his rich father. I would have travelled overseas with my own share of the money.”
While the victim was fortunate to have been rescued safely, residents have called for more security and community action to prevent similar crimes.
CSP Hundeyin assured that “investigation is in progress,” and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around them.
