Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 32-year-old man, Chigozie Michael Clement, for abducting a seven-year-old boy. The child, taken by the family’s painter, was rescued unhurt after a discreet operation.
Police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday. He explained that the incident began on 25 August 2025, when the victim’s father reported at Alapere Police Division that his son had been taken without consent. Shortly afterwards, the suspect contacted the boy’s mother and demanded ₦7 million in ransom.
The case was swiftly transferred to the Command’s Special Squad I, which launched an investigation. On 27 August, officers tracked the suspect to Ijegun, Lagos, arrested him, and rescued the boy, who was found locked in a room. The child has since been reunited with his family.
According to the police, Clement confessed, claiming he abducted the boy to raise money for his family. Investigations are ongoing to establish whether he acted alone or with accomplices.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, assured residents that the Command remains committed to tackling kidnapping and other crimes across Lagos.