17-year-old university student escapes from kidnappers’ den

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 said to have been abducted last week, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It was learnt that Akinlaja was on his way to join his parents at the Redemption City located on the highway when he fell into the hands of the kidnappers.

He was going for the 70th convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God tagged ‘Perfect Jubilee’, which took place last week.

A statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Abeokuta by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kunle Somorin, explained that the victim escaped from his abductors when security officers stormed their den in Ikorodu, Lagos.

“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,” the statement read partly.

According to the statement, the security men were still on the trail of the kidnappers, adding that no effort would be spared to rid the state of undesirable elements.

It quoted Governor Dapo Abiodun to have vowed that “there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state.

“Ogun State has zero tolerance for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers or ritual murderers and other criminals by whatever name they are called,” Abiodun said, insisting that in Ogun State, “our security system has been fortified to repel them; we will smoke them out and visit the full wrath of the law on them.”

“The Governor appreciates the sacrifices of the security personnel and tasked them not to relent in their commitment to restoring public confidence and safety on the highways always,” the statement added.