The Lagos State Police Command on Monday
paraded a 27-year-old man, Chukwuemeka Benson, for the alleged kidnap
of a British expatriate, Dickson Lee.
The PUNCH had reported that Lee,
who was kidnapped in Mafoluku area of the state on his way from the
Murtala Muhammed International Airport last Thursday, had been rescued
by the police on Sunday.
It was learnt that after kidnapping the
victim, the kidnappers demanded $1m (N159m) as ransom. However, police
detectives working undercover were able to negotiate N7.5m with the
kidnappers.
It was learnt that the suspect was arrested while he was attempting to collect the ransom.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, said the suspect was arrested along Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Manko said after his arrest, Benson led
detectives to an uncompleted building in Okota area of the state where
the victim was found.
He said, “Benson came to collect ransom
around Okokomaiko on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, when he was arrested by
policemen of the Special Intelligence Bureau and the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad. One of his colleagues, who came with him, was shot
during the operation, but he escaped with bullet wounds.
“Benson led policemen to an uncompleted
building at Okota where Dickson (Lee) was rescued without paying ransom
and without any injury. Efforts are on to arrest the remaining suspects
at large.
“I urge people who have genuine business
in Lagos State not to be afraid as the state remains the safest part of
the country. People should also desist from paying ransom as this
encourages kidnapping.”
It was learnt that at the uncompleted
building, a locally-made revolver pistol with seven rounds of live
ammunition and two AK47 rifle magazines were recovered.
The suspect however denied being a kidnapper. He said he was only used by the kidnappers at large to collect the ransom.
The indigene of Abia State said, “I sell
second hand clothes for a living. However, some months ago, my goods
worth over N200, 000 were seized by men of the Nigerian Customs Service
at Agbara, Ogun State.
“I returned to my hometown to hustle but
things were very hard. I have younger female cousins, who are all
widows so I had to become the head of the extended family and decided to
become rich by all means.”
He said he went to borrow money from a
friend he identified only as Nonye, adding that the friend, who was the
security guard at the uncompleted building, promised to loan him N150,
000 if he would collect money from someone on his behalf.
He said he innocently went to collect the money when he was arrested by the police.
He said, “On Friday, I went to see Nonye
at the uncompleted building and he told me that he would loan me
N150,000 which I could use as capital. I noticed a white man (Lee)
sitting in one of the rooms. I asked Nonye who the man was, but he told
me to mind my business. The white man was given juice and cake to eat.
“On Sunday, around 2pm, Nonye told me to
go with his friend, Ugo, and collect money from the owner of the
building. He said the money was for construction of the house but he did
not tell me how much. I went with Ugo on a motorcycle and Ugo told me
to go collect money from the owner of the building, sitting inside a
car.
“When I attempted to collect the money, I was immediately arrested. I did not know I was being used.”
0 Comments