Lagos: I spent ransom on children’s school fees, feeding, Suspected kidnapper confesses

A suspected kidnapper, Tosin Oke, also known as “Old Soldier,” arrested by the operatives of the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command, has confessed to spending ransom collected on his children’s school fees and feeding.

Oke, who was part of a gang that abducted an oil magnate on Ado Road in Ajah months ago, disclosed this while expressing deep regret for his actions.

He recounted using the money to cover his children’s education and household expenses.

In an interview with Vanguard, Oke explained, “They gave me $1,700, and after exchanging it at the Bureau De Change, I received N1.8 million.

“I used a portion of it for my children’s school fees and feeding and saved the rest. I regret getting involved in this. I’m not even sure if I was bewitched into joining them. I don’t understand how I became part of this.”

Recall that the oil magnate was abducted from his dredging site by a six-man armed gang, who transported him in a speedboat to an undisclosed location via waterways.

The kidnappers fired shots into the air to prevent any intervention.

To secure his release, the family was said to have raised N42 million, which was converted into $30,000 as demanded, along with an additional N100,000.

The ransom was delivered, but three of the kidnappers, Adelaja Ikuesan, 37; Tosin Oke, 40; and Oluwabunmi Yusuf, 39 — were later apprehended after dividing the ransom among themselves.

The suspects expressed remorse and vowed to abandon criminal activities if given a second chance.

Oke, who had a history of involvement in bunkering and kidnapping, clarified that his share of the ransom went towards his family’s needs.

He also denied that his newly built mansion in Badagry was entirely funded by criminal activities, attributing its construction to contributions from family members.

“I honestly regret getting myself involved in this,” Oke said. “Even my family questioned my actions because they knew I had never been involved in anything like this before.

“I used to work as an agent for the police in Zone 2. What could have driven me to participate in something like this?”

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