The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a cross-state kidnapping syndicate accused of abducting a businesswoman in the Ijedodo area of the state and collecting N21 million in ransom.
The suspects, identified as 35-year-old Semi Buawe, 37-year-old Oluwatomi Obosi and Bamure Telemowei, were arrested after operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit traced them to their hideout in Agadagba community, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The alleged gang leader, identified only as ID, is still at large and is suspected of being linked to kidnapping operations across several states.
The victim, whose identity was withheld, was reportedly held captive for three days in a bush around Ijedodo before her family secured her release after paying N21 million, alongside a bottle of schnapps, a power bank and one kilogramme of frozen turkey.
According to police investigations, the gang planned the operation in Ondo State before travelling to Lagos in April 2026 to carry out the abduction. They reportedly returned to Agadagba shortly after collecting the ransom.
Buawe, a sawmill worker, admitted participating in the operation and told investigators that he had been involved in kidnapping since 2010 but had decided to quit.
He said ID approached him in April and asked him to join the Lagos operation, eventually persuading him because of his knowledge of the city.
Buawe explained that the gang had no specific target when they arrived in Lagos and decided to search for a wealthy victim in Ijedodo.
According to him, ID eventually stopped in front of a duplex and concluded that its occupant was wealthy. He and another gang member reportedly entered the compound and emerged with the victim, who was subsequently taken into a nearby bush.
Buawe said the victim shouted for help while they were heading into the bush, prompting a passer-by to intervene. He alleged that ID fired a shot into the air, forcing the man to retreat.
He said ID subsequently contacted the victim’s family and negotiated the ransom. The family initially offered N16 million, but the gang leader rejected the amount before eventually agreeing to N21 million.
Buawe said he received N1.5 million from the proceeds, while another suspect, Obosi, reportedly received N2.5 million.
He also disclosed that the gang transferred N150,000 from the victim’s phone to a Point of Sale operator around Ijedodo after their food supplies ran out.
Obosi, meanwhile, told investigators that he became involved in the operation after travelling to Agadagba to find a woman to marry, following advice from his mother and grandfather.
He said he was introduced to ID, who was reportedly married to his girlfriend’s sister. After learning that Obosi lived in Lagos, ID allegedly asked him to join the operation and assist with translating Yoruba for members of the gang.
Obosi said he agreed because he needed money to finance his marriage.
“I only agreed to follow them for the operation because I needed money to marry as soon as possible,” he reportedly said.
He added that although he received N2.5 million, ID later collected N200,000 from each member of the gang after they returned to Agadagba.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrests and said efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing gang leader.
She said the suspects remained in police custody and would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The command urged members of the public with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspected gang leader, ID, to contact the nearest police station.
Adebisi also warned criminals operating in the state, saying, “There will be no hiding space for criminals in Lagos State.”
