By Deborah Nnamdi
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a motorcycle rider, identified as Kelvin Ogaga, for allegedly kidnapping a three-year-old child he was employed to transport to and from school and collecting a N500,000 ransom from the victim’s family.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the arrest in a video shared on X on Thursday.
According to Edafe, the suspect had been hired by the child’s family to pick her up from home, take her to school, and return her after classes for a monthly payment of N10,000. He reportedly carried out the assignment for about three weeks before allegedly abducting the child.
Edafe explained that on the day of the incident, the suspect allegedly diverted the child instead of taking her to school and began contacting the family with a different phone number, demanding a ransom of N2 million.
He added that the suspect switched off his personal phone to avoid raising suspicion and conceal his involvement in the abduction.
Despite threats from the kidnappers warning that the child would be killed if the police were informed, the family reported the incident to the authorities.
The police spokesman said the ransom demand was eventually reduced, and the family paid N500,000 before the child was released unharmed.
Following the report, the Delta State Police Command launched an intelligence-led investigation, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of part of the ransom money.
During interrogation, Ogaga allegedly confessed to the crime, claiming he was persuaded by a friend identified simply as Omo.
He reportedly told investigators that financial hardship pushed him into the kidnapping plot and further alleged that his girlfriend was aware of and participated in planning the abduction.
Edafe said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects connected to the crime.
He urged parents and guardians to carry out proper background checks before entrusting their children to caregivers, transporters, or other service providers.
“The good part is that the child is safe, the suspect has been arrested and part of the ransom money has been recovered,” Edafe said.
