Two suspected Kidnapers, Umoru Mohammed and Audu Mohammed have beeing detained by the Ogun State Police Command for the abduction and murder of 15-year-old Muazu Tombata in Abule Oje in the Imala area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state.

BEYOND AFRICA gathered that the victim was allegedly kidnapped while tending to his father’s cows alongside four other children in the village.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, the four other children returned to the community with their cows, Muazu was missing, which raised concerns in the community.

After a few days, it was learnt that the abductors reached out to the victim’s family demanding a ransom of N500,000, which was reportedly paid, but they failed to release the teenager.

The PPRO added that when Tombata was not released, a leader in the community reported a missing person case to the Divisional Police Officer in the area, who acted promptly by leading a search team for the teenager.

The PPRO continued, “On September 6, the same community leader received a call from an active mobile number instructing him to a riverside in Oje forest, after paying a ransom of N500,000.

“The Imala Divisional Police Officer led a search team and located the body of the missing person, Muazu Tombata, a 15-year-old. They had tied the boy’s neck and slaughtered him.”

Odutola added that an investigation into the mobile line that had contacted the family to demand the ransom revealed images of the suspected perpetrators, who were tracked and arrested after a rigorous investigation by the police.

She added, “On September 7, 2024, two suspects, Umoru Mohammed and Audu Mohammed, were arrested at Kara Market in Olodo.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to having demanded a ransom from the victim’s family. They are undergoing investigation and are collaborating with the police to assist in locating others involved in the crime.”

The PPRO stressed that the command remains committed to curbing the menace of kidnapping and bringing perpetrators to book.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, assures the good people of Ogun State that under his watch, the menace of kidnapping will be curbed and all those perpetrating these acts will be brought to book,” Odutola concluded.