A 38-year-old man, identified as Joseph Omoni, who is suspected to be the mastermind of high-profile kidnappings in Lagos and Ogun State, was yesterday arrested by the police in Lagos.He is also involved in the kidnap of five students and three staff of the Nigeria-Turkish International School.
The five students and three staff of the Nigeria-Turkish International School located in Isheri Area of Ogun State who were abducted on January 13 were rescued by the police later in the month.
The abductors demanded N1.2b ransom for the release of the victims.
One of the suspects arrested earlier, Alex Super, had confessed that they also shot dead a TV presenter,Alli Balogun.
Omoni is also believed to have masterminded the kidnap of Lagos Isheri North Estate Association Secretary, Dayo Adekoya.
He was apprehended by men of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Intelligence Response Team, IRT, led by an Assistant of Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, the police noted that the arrest was made in Century village in Ogijo Town of Ogun State on Tuesday, and that the suspect made a confessional statement indicating the level of his involvement.
According to CSP Moshood, “The suspect confessed further to the kidnap/assassination attack on Ikorodu mile 12 road on 19/12/2016 where Aisha Ali Balogun and one other were killed.
“He also admitted to have participated actively as a gang member in the kidnap of Turkish School children and members of the staff in Ogun State recently.”
Moshood further disclosed that two houses built from the ransom money by the suspect and one other gang member, referred to as “Chairman,” have been identified and sealed off at Century Village.
Meanwhile, the suspect has in his confession, admitted his participation in the kidnap of the Nigerian Turkish school girls and members of staff.
Omoni also said he participated in the December kidnap operation at Ikorodu, where a popular TV presenter, Aisha Ali-Balogun was killed and her daughter and friend whisked away.
He said he only got N250,000 from ransom for the release of the Isheri North estate secretary.
He said, “I got N250,000 from the ransom of the Isheri North estate secretary kidnap because the sum paid was too small, but for the Nigerian Turkish International College, I got N2 million.
“I was also involved in the kidnap at Ikorodu road where Aisha Balogun, a popular TV presenter was killed. We didn’t know her until we read in the papers that she was a TV presenter. I got about N1m from the ransom.
“I cannot say what really happened during the Isheri North kidnap, but we exchanged fire while escaping and later we read in the papers that three security men were killed.
“Well, I cannot say that I regret everything because I was able to build houses with the money I got from the Nigerian Turkish school.
“I bought tiles, windows and other accessories to compete my house at Century village, in Ogijo community.”
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