2 Nigerian Arrested For Kidnapping

A Nigerian, Francis Onyenwere, has been arrested for offering to give two civilians who had �arrested� his friend an amount of GH₵10 to enable him secure the release of his friend. Francis, who had attempted to get his friend, Sunday Obadji, who forcibly pursued a porter from Accra to Aflao off the hook, is currently languishing in police cells together with his accomplice. Briefing the press in Accra yesterday, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, COP Prosper Kwame Agblor, stated that on August 20, 2012 at about 11:30am, Sunday engaged the services of Barikisu Iddrisu, 26, a porter who hails from Tamale but resides at the Konkomba Market in Accra. He said Sunday engaged Barikisu to cart his goods from Tema Station to Aflao Station, Tudu, for a fee of GH₵3. However, when they got to the station Sunday told Barikisu that he had run out of funds and requested the victim to accompany him to his house so that he can take money and pay her, and also assist him in doing some laundry. COP Agblor said Sunday did not state the location of his house, but the victim presumed that he was residing in a suburb of Accra. He said Sunday, who claimed he had no money on him, boarded an Aflao vehicle and paid a fare of GH₵9 for both of them. On reaching Sege, Barikisu became apprehensive and requested to be allowed to get down from the vehicle but Sunday ordered the driver not to stop. At Tefle, they both got down from the care and Sunday then asked the victim to accompany him to Evergreen Guest House, where he (Sunday) claimed he was residing, but Barikisu declined. COP Agblor explained that Sunday went to guest house with his luggage and Barikisu began to cry when he left. That, according to COP Agblor, attracted the attention of two young men, Stephen Tengey and Andrews Ahadzi, who inquired from her why she was crying. Barikisu narrated her ordeal to them. Sunday was subsequently arrested by the civilians when he returned from his room to force Barikisu to accompany him to the guest house. COP Agblor said when Sunday was being escorted to the police station, he pleaded with the civilians to allow him go and lock his door. But when they got to the room, Francis, his compatriot, offered the young men a bribe of GH₵10 to secure the release of his friend; they refused the offer. He said Francis followed the civilians, who still had Sunday in their grips, to the police station, where he was also arrested. The two suspects, who were arraigned before the Sogakope Circuit Court on August 24, were charged with kidnapping and rescuing another person from lawful custody, and had been remanded into prison custody to re-appear on September 12. COP Agblor said although Francis was admitted to a bail of GH₵300 with one surety to be justified and that the surety should be a civil servant who resides within the jurisdiction of the court and deposit two passport size photographs with the court registrar, he could not meet the bail condition. COP Agblor said the police was on top of situations in the country, adding that there was no cause for alarm.