A physically–challenged barber, who abducted his mother, Mrs. Kate Emienor, in Benin City, Edo State and detained her for 10 days at a hideout in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State,
while demanding N20 million ransom to secure her freedom , has been nabbed by the police.
Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, who confirmed the incident, yesterday, said, “It is true, both the son and mother that was kidnapped are in our custody.”
Sunday Vanguard learnt that the barber, suspected to be a hardened criminal, allegedly abducted her mother, February 5, in Benin City, where he operated a barbing salon, and whisked her to a hideout in Ogwashi-Uku.
He reportedly alerted his elder brother, based overseas, that their mother was kidnapped and the abductors were demanding N20 million ransom to release her.
The ransom was later reduced to N10 million when his brother could not raise the N20 million. Meanwhile, unknown to the son, the police were alerted about the purported kidnap and they put in place strategies to track the abductors.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that the suspect might have brainwashed his mother into agreeing to be abducted in order to obtain money from her son living outside the country.
Aduba, who expressed concern about the involvement of family members and insiders in kidnapping, said, “The suspect who arranged the purported kidnap of his mother was busy holding meetings with other members of the family on how to release their mother, whereas, he was responsible for the abduction.”
The police boss disclosed that the suspect held a meeting with other members of the family 24 hours before he was arrested at about 4.00 pm on February 15, adding that no ransom was paid to rescue Mrs. Emienor.
His words, “The scourge is getting worrisome as kidnap cases are not abating with idle youths turning their energy negatively to the detriment of the larger society”.
Recalling the case of a man who arranged the kidnap of a friend, he said, “Hard time awaits kidnappers in Delta State; they will be smoked out and made to face the full wrath of the law, including their sponsors, who always lurk around”.
According to Aduba, “Recently, a so-called human rights activist and lawyer was nabbed pants down trying to pervert the course of justice shamelessly in Warri.
“His game of blackmailing notwithstanding, let him prove his innocence in court, not before native doctors cum spiritualists.
“I want to assure Deltans that with their cooperation, there is no hiding space for sponsors of crime in the state; once they are caught, no compromise”.
A police source told Sunday Vanguard, last night, “It is likely the suspect will be charged to court for the kidnap of his mother, but the mother will be used as a key witness since it was obvious she fell for the trap.”