A popular chief priestess and custodian of an Ifa shrine in Egan community, in Igando, a Lagos suburb was arrested for allegedly operating a kidnap den in her apartment located at 15 Irepodun Street.
The 60-year-old Ifa priestess, Aminat Karimu Ajibola, was alleged to have been operating the kidnappers’ den with her two sons, Akeem Bashiru, (32) and Ojo Solomon, (26), until they were arrested by a combined team of policemen attached to the Igando Division and those from the Intelligence Unit of the Lagos State Police Command.
Explaining how they were arrested, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, said:
“One Ms. Bridget Obaze, approached the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Igando Police Station, Taiwo Kasumu, at about 4a.m. on September 7, 2018 and complained that her brother, Osahon Obaze, had been missing for days and that the kidnappers were threatening to kill him unless she paid a N1.5 million.
She noted that they warned her not to involve the police else her brother would be killed. “The DPO immediately contacted the Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, who reinforced his team with men drafted from the Intelligence Unit of the Command and together, they left in search of the victim.
Same day, at about 11am, through discreet investigation, the following suspects were arrested at 15 Irepodun street, Egan, Igando: Aminat Kareem Ajibola, a Chief Priestess and custodian of an Ifa shrine, her two sons, Akeem Bashiru and Ojo Solomon. Also rescued during the operation, were two other victims found in the apartment:
Fadugbagbe Akindele, a male, of 7 Peace Crescent Salolo, Meiran, Lagos and one Ekwegbalu Augustine who was lured all the way from Anambra State with the promise of a job placement in an oil company.
“They had been held for weeks by the kidnappers pending payment of ransom by their families. All those rescued had been identified and reunited with their relations. “One of the suspects, Ojo, disclosed during interrogation that their victims were lured through gay relationship and employment promise.
According to the youngest member of the family
“We were able to lure victims with the promise of getting them employment and to some, gay relationship. Our mother empowered us spiritually. She used juju (charms) to intimidate and instill fear in our victims”.
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
