The Abuja Police Command said it had rescued an eight-year-old boy, Prosper Arinze, who was kidnapped recently.
This is contained in statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Anjuguri Manzah, in Abuja on Tuesday.
It said the suspected kidnappers of the boy had also been arrested.
Arinze, a primary two pupil of China Assisted School, Nyanya, FCT, was kidnapped on March 11 after closing at school by two suspects aged 24 and 23.
The statement said the kidnappers had contacted the father and demanded for a ransom of about N1 million before the victim would be released.
It said on receipt of the complaint, the FCT Commissioner of Police set up a Joint Rescue and Investigation Team headed by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID).
It said for the safety of the victim, the police couldn’t arrest the suspects until the victim was released.
“Working on clues and other intelligent leads gathered during the cause of investigation into the matter, the two suspects mentioned above were trailed and arrested in Masaka and Auta Balefi in Nasarawa State,” it said.
The statement further said that during interrogation, both suspects confessed to the offence.
“The principal suspect who is an electrical apprentice to the second suspect confessed to the Police how he masterminded the kidnapping and how the ransom money was shared between the two of them.
“I am happy to inform you that the victim was rescued safely and arrangement is being concluded to recover the ransom money from the identified bank accounts operated by the two suspects for the purpose,” it said.
The statement said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.
It enjoined parents and guardians to be vigilant and pay more attention to the way and manner their children and wards were being taken to and from school.
“Schools are also advised to go a step further and work together with the parents to ensure adequate safety of their pupils and students.
“I wish to assure that the FCT Police Command will continue to work with stakeholders in school administration in the FCT to further strengthen the security arrangement already in place for the safety and security of pupils and students in all schools throughout the territory,” the statement said.
