Two children kidnapped in Lagos have been rescued in Benin City on August 23, police in Edo say.
The police also arrested three suspects, Precious Mmaduike 21, Jane Osas 35 and John Obasu 45 in connection with the abduction in Benin.
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The children, David Ibe 4, and Chizaram Ibe 2, were abducted by their family’s housemaid, Precious Mmaduike, from their Surulere residence.
Their father, Phenasus Ibe, was said to have reported the matter to the police that his children were given N500 by their mother to buy biscuit outside the compound in the company of their housemaid but didn’t return, and that her phone was switched off.
The police discovered that Benin was the last location of the maid’s phone before it was switched off.
The Lagos police alongside the victims’ father reported the matter to the anti-kidnapping and cybercrime unit of Edo state police, leading to the rescue of the children and arrest of the suspects.
The state command’s spokesperson, Bello Kontongs, said the victims were rescued at Upper Ekewan area of Benin alongside the suspects.
“The housemaid who met the woman in Benin on the internet claimed the two children were her own and that they came to visit her in Benin.
“The woman who was not aware of the truth bought gift items and other properties for the children before they were apprehended.”
He explained that while the police were taking the rescued children and suspects and two other children found in the house, the woman’s husband James Obaze raised alarm of kidnapping against the police operatives which attracted a group of unknown vigilante members who blocked the road.
He said the group attacked the police operatives, despite identifying themselves, with all kinds of weapons, causing bodily injuries on them but escaped after police reinforcement arrived.
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