2 Kidnappers Arrested

Suspects Victor Aniete Solomon and Michael Udoh (right)

TWO NIGERIANS, Victor Aniete Solomon, 21 and Michael Udoh, 14, have found themselves in police net for allegedly kidnapping an eight-year-old boy.

The suspects were said to have kidnapped the boy (name withheld) at the Achimota/ABC branch of the Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints Church on Sunday June 22, this year, during church service.

They then whisked the victim to Aflao, held him hostage and demanded a ransom of GH¢10,000 before his release.

Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP) Prosper Agblor, narrating the incident to the media, said during the early part of June 2014, Victor Solomon attended church service and introduced himself to the leadership as a dedicated member (of the church) in Nigeria who had relocated to Ghana.

He said the suspect attended service once but on his second visit, asked for permission from a missionary to let the boy take pictures of him with his (Solomon's) mobile phone.

'Within a twinkle of an eye the suspect managed to sneak out of the church with the victim to the Tudu Lorry Park where he boarded an Aflao-bound vehicle with the victim,' he said.

COP Agblor said that upon reaching Aflao, Solomon called the leadership of the church and demanded a ransom of the said amount before the release of the boy and proceeded to give the bishop an MTN number into which account the amount was to be paid.

He said a report was lodged with the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit and with the collaboration of other security agencies and intelligence gathered, the suspect was traced to Aflao, where he was arrested when he left his hiding place to collect the ransom.

'He was identified by some witnesses and was quickly apprehended. On interrogation he admitted the offence and stated that he arrived in Ghana about five weeks ago and wanted to make quick money, so he contacted Michael Udoh, also a Nigerian national, and together they conspired to kidnap and demand a ransom,' the CID boss disclosed.

COP Agblor said the suspect then led the detective to arrest his accomplice, Micheal Udoh at Sogakofe, who had packed baggage for himself and Solomon, apparently preparing to travel to Nigeria after collecting the ransom.

He said the suspects then led the police to an isolated house where the victim was rescued and reunited with his family.

The suspects have been charged with kidnapping and will be put before a court of law.

BY Jamila Akweley Okertchiri