Police Arrest 2 Kidnappers

TWO people alleged to have kidnapped, tortured and unlawfully detained a debtor for being unable to repay a loan of GH¢40,000 were on Monday arrested by the Tema Police.

Samson Bello, a 40-year-old contractor, and a 59-year-old driver (name withheld) were arrested for allegedly kidnapping Ralph Mens-Odro, Managing Director of House of Rhema, dealers in local rice.

Briefing the Times yesterday about the incident, Inspector Olivia Turkson, Public Affairs Officer of Tema Regional Police Command, said about a month ago, a friend of Ralph's  approached Samson and impressed upon him to assist Ralph who was in dire need of money to invest in his business.

Samson lent him GH¢40,000 on the understanding that the amount would be refunded in three days. However, on the said day, Ralph could pay back only GH¢27,000.

Inspector Turkson said since then, whenever Samson called Ralph on phone to find out when he would pay the remaining amount, he allegedly refused to pick the call.

She said at about 5.30 a.m. on Monday, Samson in the company of six others, stormed Ralph's house in two cars and bundled him into one of the cars being driven by the 59-year-old man and sped off to an unknown destination.

She said when the group got to the Accra Abattoir, they blindfolded Ralph before continuing with their journey.

Inspector Turskon said when they got to their destination, they stripped Ralph naked, tied his hands and legs and sat him on a sandcrete block.

Samson, according to Inspector Turkson, instructed his colleagues to pour water on the victim every 15 minutes and continue to beat him until someone came to refund the rest of the loan.  He then left to his workplace in Accra.

Inspector Turkson said Ralph's houseboy, who witnessed the abduction, informed Ralph's wife and described Samson to her.

The woman then reported the case to the Community 18 police and led the police to Samson's workplace where he admitted going for the victim but insisted that he would only release him after the remaining amount was paid.

The police arrested Samson and his accomplices and subsequently rescued Ralph.