- The abducted boy was rescued unhurt and reunited with his parents.
- The cash sum earlier extorted was equally recovered.
- The FCT command noted the new trend and pattern of kidnapping by domestic workers.
The 29-year-old chef Ulagu Philemon Chukwuma has been taken into custody by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for orchestrating the kidnapping of Justin Nwakwo, the 12-year-old boss’s son, on February 10, 2024, in Jabi, Abuja.
Officers from the Utako Police Divisional Headquarters apprehended Philemon, a domestic servant who works as a cook for the Nwakwo family, when they were conducting follow-up investigations to free the kidnapped boy and apprehend those responsible.
“Investigations by the police revealed that the principal suspect, who has since confessed to the crime, conspired with one McDonald Arinze, who is currently at large, to commit the crime,” the FCT Command said in a statement.
“The suspects had earlier forcefully obtained a cash sum of three million, nine hundred thousand naira (3,900,000) as ransom from the victim’s father.
“The arm of the law, however, caught up with the criminals following intensified efforts by the police.
“The boy was rescued unhurt and reunited with his parents. The cash sum earlier extorted was equally recovered.
The Command noted that while efforts is still ongoing to apprehend the suspects at large, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth Igwe, has reiterated his unflinching commitment to ensure the safety of all in the Territory.
He equally encouraged residents to involve the police in the profiling of their domestic workers, noting the new trend and pattern of kidnapping by domestic workers.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities through the following emergency line ; 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883; PCB: 09022222352.