Oluwabunmi Ajelero
Chiemelie Ezeobi
Children, it appears, have become endangered species, as they seem to be the new target of evil-minded persons who are on the prowl looking for any vulnerable and unguarded one to kidnap.
Barely four days after the three Orekoya kids were rescued after an eight-day ordeal in the kidnapper’s den, another toddler was on Sunday abducted in Lagos, this time from a church.
The little girl, who was identified as Oluwabunmi Ajelero, was abducted by unknown persons at her parents’ church in Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, Lagos.
According to a message, which has since gone viral, the little girl was kidnapped at the end of the church service at Surulere Baptist Church, 52/54, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere.
The text read thus: "Our 3-year-old girl, Oluwabunmi Ajelero, got missing today at Surulere Baptist Church 52/54, Ojuelegba road, Surulere.
"Strange men walked into the premises and took her away on a bike through Nathan Street, off Ojuelegba.
"Please help us, our hearts are broken, we're crying with heavy hearts. We don't know what to do anymore.
"Please help us, our hearts are broken, we're crying with heavy hearts. We don't know what to do anymore.
"Please if you see this child in anyway, kindly call any of these numbers 08022289455, 07085678831, 08098230603, or 08023036852."
When contacted via one of the numbers, the brother of the victim's father, Mr. Adeniran Adejuwon, said the kidnappers had contacted them, asking for millions of naira as ransom.
When contacted via one of the numbers, the brother of the victim's father, Mr. Adeniran Adejuwon, said the kidnappers had contacted them, asking for millions of naira as ransom.
In an exclusive interview with THISDAY he said: "The kidnappers have contacted us and they are demanding millions of naira as ransom but I don't want to speculate on the exact figure.
"They allowed the father of the baby to speak with her so we know she is alive. As regarding the ransom, we are negotiating with them."
On how the kidnappers were able to abduct the girl despite the crowd in the church, he said: "The service was winding down and while some children were playing, others were trying to locate their parents.
On how the kidnappers were able to abduct the girl despite the crowd in the church, he said: "The service was winding down and while some children were playing, others were trying to locate their parents.
"We were not there when it happened but one of the children that first saw the stranger was a nine-year-old. According to him, the stranger walked into the church and snatched my niece.
"When the children raised alarm because he was an unfamiliar face, he ran out where his accomplice was waiting for him on a commercial motorcycle and they sped away.
"We could not catch up with them so we reported the matter to Area C Police Command, where we made our statements and they have begun to search for her."
Meanwhile, days after they arrested the nanny behind the kidnap of the Orekoya kids, Funmilayo Adeyemi, the Lagos State Police Command are yet to nab the remaining members of the gang.
Although it is not yet clear how close they are to arresting the trio who are still at large —Adeyemi's husband, Waheed Kareem; his brother and his wife, Akeem and Joke Oseni — the command is keeping mum on the next line of action.
A text message sent to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, on the issue, got no response even after two days.
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