by Anike Jacobs

Edward Nnaji, 25,  the music director at Christ Embassy Church, Zone 1, Idimangoro Parish, Agege, Lagos and a movie actor who played a role in a film titled Friday Night have been arrested by the operatives of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, Lagos Island.

They were arrested for the kidnap of a female banker, Popoola Morenikeji.

According to the police, the suspects kidnapped the victim at Amuwo Odofin area of Mile 2, Lagos close to her residence when she stepped out of her vehicle to buy something and took her to an uncompleted building in a bush at Mowe area of Ogun State.

They allegedly tied her legs and hands and kept  her for four days until a ransom of N5 million was paid before they set her free.

Also, the suspects sold the victim’s Toyota Corolla car valued at N1.8 million for N250,000, all her jewellery and handsets valued at N2 million and shared the loot.

Police investigation revealed that nemesis caught up with the arrested suspects two years after they allegedly perpetrated the act on 1 August 1, 2014.

The alleged ring leader, Nnaji regrouped with others and sent a threat to life text message to the victim to send N150,000 into their account for recharge card, with a warning that if she failed to send the money, they will trail her this time around and eliminate her.

The banker immediately sent a petition to the Inspector general of Police after receiving the sms to save her from the kidnappers.

The Commissioner of Police Federal SARS, DCP Chris Ezike, took the matter up and deployed a team led by Inspector Oluwemimo Banjoko to fish out the suspects and they were arrested in Lagos and Edo states.

During interrogation, all the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime and led the police to the place they kidnapped the woman and kept her for four days before she was set free. In his alleged confession to the police, Nnaji said

“My worry now is that I don’t know how the devil pushed me again two years after we committed the crime to threaten the victim again for more money before we were arrested. God has blessed me as I am the director of music at the Christ Embassy Zone 1 Parish , Idimangoro, Lagos and also an actor who played a prominent role in a film titled Friday Night which gave me fame and fortune. I promise to change if I am set free.”

After investigation the suspects were charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ court, Lagos on a four-count charge of felony to wit, armed robbery.

Sola