By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Police command in Lagos State, has arrested a 21-year-old suspect over alleged involvement in multiple killings linked to kidnapping operations across the state.

Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, confirmed the arrest while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Wednesday.

Tijani said the operation followed credible intelligence and coordinated surveillance by operatives tracking a suspected kidnapping syndicate.

He disclosed that the suspect was arrested alongside a 23-year-old accomplice during a raid in the Ikorodu area at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27.

According to him, preliminary investigations linked the suspects to the abduction and killing of 17-year-old Thomson Adams on April 22.

“The victim was abducted, held captive, and later murdered in a calculated manner,” Tijani said.

He added that the suspects initially demanded ransom before killing the victim in spite of ongoing communication with the family.

Tijani said further investigations revealed the 21-year-old suspect confessed to another kidnapping carried out on Nov. 30, 2025.

He said the victim in that case was the suspect’s girlfriend, who had recently ended their relationship before the incident.

“The family paid a ransom of N300,000, yet she was still killed by the suspects,” he said.

The commissioner described the incidents as gruesome, disturbing, and indicative of a wider criminal enterprise operating within the state.

“These individuals are part of a network responsible for repeated kidnappings and killings,” Tijani said.

He noted that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend other members of the syndicate across different locations.

According to him, detectives are working to uncover additional victims and establish the full extent of the gang’s operations.

Tijani reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and violent crime through intelligence-led policing strategies.

“Our operations are yielding results, and we will continue to dismantle criminal networks wherever they operate,” he said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to assist security agencies.

“Public cooperation remains vital in preventing crimes and ensuring swift responses to threats,” the police chief said.

Tijani added that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

During interrogation, the 21-year-old suspect, identified as a music director, admitted involvement in the crimes.

He explained that one victim was lured to a rented apartment under the pretence of friendship and trust.

“We invited him over, and once he arrived, we restrained him using chains and padlocks,” he said.

The suspect said they staged a recording to create a false impression while the victim remained in captivity.

According to him, his accomplice insisted the victim could not be released because he knew too much about their identities.

“We had no choice but to silence him to avoid exposure,” the suspect said.

He stated that the victim was strangled inside the apartment after a brief struggle.

“It happened quickly, and we ensured there were no witnesses,” he added.

The suspect said the body was then placed inside a large bag to avoid attracting suspicion.

He explained that they moved the body out under the guise of routine activity within the neighbourhood.

“We transported the body on a motorcycle to a remote area and dumped it in a bush,” he said.

Police said investigations remain ongoing as efforts intensify to dismantle kidnapping networks operating within Lagos State. (NAN)

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