The Ogun State Government has announced that a 17-year-old kidnap victim, Ireoluwa Akinlaja, has escaped from captivity in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Akinlaja, a student of the Redeemers University in Osun State, was reportedly kidnapped last week, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It was further gathered that Akinlaja was on his way to join his parents at the Redemption City along the expressway, when he fell into the hands of the kidnappers.
The student was said to be going for the 70th convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) tagged ‘Perfect Jubilee’, which took place last week.
Confirming the development in a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Abeokuta, the Chief Press Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, stated that the victim escaped from the kidnappers when security agents visited their hide out in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The statement reads in part, “The victim, Akinlaja Ireoluwa Oluwatomiwa, is a student of the Redeemers University in Osun State. He was on his way to join his parents when he was kidnapped.
“Our security men had trailed the kidnappers to Ikorodu, where the victim was being held hostage. Their arrival on the scene had given an opportunity for the victim to escape from captivity.
“We are happy that the victim escaped unhurt. He has since been reunited with his parents.”
Somorin further disclosed that the security men were still on the trail of the kidnappers, saying that no effort would be spared to rid the state of criminals.
The CPS also quoted Governor Dapo Abiodun as vowing that “there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state.’
Governor Abiodun then said, “Ogun State has zero tolerance for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers or ritual murderers and other criminals by whatever name they are called. Our security system has been fortified to repel them; we will smoke them out and visit the full wrath of the law on them.
Somorin also said, “The Ogun Governor appreciates the sacrifices of the security personnel and tasked them not to relent in their commitment to restore public confidence and safety on the highways always.”
