Four teenagers arrested in Bauchi State for allegedly kidnapping a
six-year-old boy and demanding N2.6m ransom have said they wanted to use the money to start a tailoring outfit.
The teenagers were among 32 suspects paraded on Friday for various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, dealing in hard drugs and printing of fake Nigerian currency at the police headquarters in Bauchi.
In an interview with journalists, one of the four kidnap suspects, Muhammad Isa (18), confessed that he was lured into the crime by his friend, Abdulgafar Adamu.
The other two suspects were identified as Usman and Muhammed, secondary school pupils aged 15 and 16, respectively.
Isa, a college of education student, who was arrested alongside three accomplices, said he could not resist the idea because he “needed the money badly.”
He added that the boy they kidnapped was their neighbour’s son at Anguwan Borno in the Bauchi metropolis.
The suspect said, “When Abdulgafar told me about the plan, I accepted it immediately. The boy was kidnapped and I offered to keep him in my house. I lied to my parents that the boy’s mother was seriously sick after an accident and was hospitalised.
“I learnt tailoring and even had a shop. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, things were tight and I was looking for money to start my business. I told my father but he said he had no money.”
Adamu, 18, who allegedly masterminded the kidnap, said, when he told his friends, including Usman, an SS 2 pupil, they all agreed.
“Later, I regretted my action and wanted to withdraw, but I could not summon the courage to tell my parents or anyone,” he added.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawan Jimeta, explained that on August 10, about 1pm, the kidnapping was reported to the command Intelligence Bureau by one Mohammed Dan’Azumi of Jaja Quarter.
He said the suspects demanded N1m ransom, saying upon receiving the complaint, detectives swung into action and rescued the victim unhurt.
Jimeta said the suspects would be soon arraigned.
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