Abducted Babcock graduate released, two friends arrested

Babcock University graduate, Justina Anochie, who was kidnapped by gunmen last Sunday, has regained her freedom.

The Ogun State Police Command said it arrested two suspects in connection with the kidnap, adding that the abductors dropped her off in Odogbolu area of the state on Friday when they realised the police were closing in on them.

The police said no ransom was paid for her release.

However, a source said money was paid to the kidnappers, adding that she was in good health.

Justina finished her studies at the Babcock University in June, 2016. She was reported to have returned to her private residence in the university community, where some gunmen kidnapped her.

The family had told Punch that the kidnappers, after demanding N10m, later agreed to take N5m, adding that efforts to make them take N300,000 were turned down.

It was learnt that the suspects finally released her on Friday after collecting some money.

A family source said:
“She was released on Friday and the family paid money to the kidnappers. But I will not disclose the amount for security reasons. She is safe now. Four gunmen carried out the kidnap.”But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said no ransom was paid for the release, adding that two suspects had been arrested.

He said immediately the case of Anochie’s kidnap was reported at the Ikenne division of the command, strategies to rescue her were put in place.

Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, said the first suspect arrested assisted the police in getting the second suspect.

He said:
“Presently, the command, through its Anti- Kidnapping Squad of the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, Eleweran, Abeokuta, has two suspects who are ‘close friends’ of Anochie.”He said the forensic investigation and Information Communication Technology skills adopted by the police in the rescue operation compelled the kidnappers to release the victim unhurt.

Adejobi said the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and ordered that all the members of the kidnapping ring should be brought to justice.

“The CP also commended the relations of the victim for their patience and understanding during the rescue operation,” Adejobi said.