“I know that security in Lagos State is now tight and I was telling others that there was no way we would get away with this kind of job” – Confession of BMJS Girls Kidnappers

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni has revealed that no ransom was paid for the release of the girls. CP Owoseni noted that the media should not emphasise the issue of ransome as it has the tendency to make the business of kidnapping attractive. He said the rescue was as a result of intelligence-led policing, the help of the community and the pressure on the kidnappers from parents and Nigerians.

He refused to disclose how the students where rescued or where the suspects were arrested but Mr. Owoseni stated that the Students were rescued around Imota area in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Meanwhile the prime suspect in the abduction, Mr. Arigidi, told journalists that 12 people were involved in the operation which was planned at the Majidun area of Ikorodu.

“We went to Maya bridge to enter canoe and went to the school around 8 p.m.,” Mr. Arigidi said.

“After we gained entrance into the school, we took away three girls and we took them to our hideout. But along the line, we had disagreement between ourselves and I was actually the one that started it. I told other members of the gang that what we have done is not good and that I don’t like it.

“I know that security in Lagos State is now tight and I was telling others that there was no way we would get away with this kind of job considering the level of security in the state.”

Mr. Arigidi said when he told his gang members to end the assignment, they threatened to kill him, and he escaped with a canoe.

“Three days after I ran away, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) then arrested me somewhere in Majidun and that was how I told them how we planned the attack,” he said.

“One thing I will like to say is that if not for the fact that I was arrested, they would not have seen the girls because I was the one that revealed everything to the police.”