Nigeria Content Online

Omotayo Mobolaji Johnson, a geologist and staff of
Chevron PLC has been arrested in connection with the attempt to kidnap
a bank executive at Ikoyi, Lagos.

Two middle-aged suspects, Tommy Ebikeme and Edward
Anigbhoro were also arrested during the June 1st kidnaping which the
police said was masterminded by Mr. Johnson who allegedly used a pseudo
name ‘Olumide.’ He was allegedly assisted by a woman called Anita to
recruit both Mr. Ebikeme and Mr. Anighboro who are militants from the
Niger Delta, to carry out the kidnap.

Their luck ran out when the police got a tip off and arrested them when they were about to kidnap their victim at Ikoyi.

The Lagos State commissioner of police, Marvel
Akpoyibo while parading the suspects at the state command yesterday
said the command’s intelligence -led policing strategy led to the
arrest of the suspect.

“Events that led to the arrest of the suspects
started on June 1st, 2010, when the command’s intelligence Unit
intercepted information that a group of persons had perfected plans to
kidnap a high profile target in Lagos. Members of the gang recruited
from the Niger delta of Nigeria were said to have intended to kidnap
the target victim from his office in Lagos island and whisk him away to
Ibadan, where Omotayo Mobolaji Johnson had a farm at the outskirt of
the town where the victim was to be taken to, after which a demand for
ransom will be made.” He said, “Acting on the strength of the
information, intelligent and undercover operatives were deployed in and
around the office and premises of the target victim for high level
surveillance mission, the efforts of the police yielded positive result
when hours later, operatives were able to effect the arrest of three
suspects connected to the plot.”

Mr. Akpoyibo added that preliminary investigation shows that the kidnap was masterminded by Mr. Johnson.

“His wife works in one of the companies owned by the
father of the target victim. The suspect worked with one Anita now at
large. Mr. Johnson owns a four star hotel and other investment in
Ibadan. He promised the other suspects a cash reward of ten million
naira from a windfall of fifty million naira expected to be made from
the illicit deal if the victim was taken to Ibadan. Some substances
recovered from the suspects include sleep inducing drugs, syringes
which they had intended to inject the victim with the substances
Halothane and Velum to facilitate his losing consciousness before
moving him to Ibadan.” Mr. Akpoyibo said.

Mr. Johnson however declined to comment on his
involvement in the crime. He said “I will not say anything until my
lawyer is here.” Mr. Ebikeme however confessed to the crime. He
indicted Mr. Johnson saying he was the one who recruited them and drove
them to the scene of the botched kidnap.

The oil company, Chevron could not be reached as at press time for its comment.