The Ogun State Police Command says the graduate of the Babcock University, Justina Anochie, who was kidnapped by gunmen last Sunday as arranged by her friends, has regained her freedom.
The Command said it arrested two suspects in connection with the kidnap, adding that the abductors dropped her off in Odogbolu area of the state on Friday when they realised the police were closing in on them.
It will be recalled that the 27-year-old lady who completed her nursing course in May, was abducted last week Sunday at about 9pm, allegedly by some of her friends, who wanted to make money from her family.
The victim had returned to her off-campus residence at the Ilishan area of the state on the said day before the incident.
After her abductors whisked her away to an unknown destination, they were said to have contacted the family, demanding the payment of N10m as ransom which was later reduced to N5m after negotiations.
A family source told the Punch that money was paid to the kidnappers, adding that she was in good health.
“She was released on Friday and the family paid money to the kidnappers. But I will not disclose the amount for security reasons. She is safe now. Four gunmen carried out the kidnap,” a family source said.
But the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, said no ransom was paid for the release, adding that two suspects had been arrested.
Adejobi said immediately the case of Anochie’s kidnap was reported at the Ikenne division of the command, strategies to rescue her were put in place.
He said, “Presently, the command, through its Anti- Kidnapping Squad of the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, Eleweran, Abeokuta, has two suspects who are ‘close friends’ of Anochie.
“The forensic investigation and Information Communication Technology skills adopted by the police in the rescue operation compelled the kidnappers to release the victim unhurt.
“The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and ordered that all the members of the kidnapping ring should be brought to justice.
“The CP also commended the relations of the victim for their patience and understanding during the rescue operation,” Adejobi added.
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