Police detain four-month-old baby, mother for kidnapping

A nursing mother, Chigozie Osinachi, and her four-month-old baby are currently being detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, of the Lagos State Police Command.

Chigozie, is said to be the wife of a kidnap kingpin, Jonah Osinachi, aka China, who  reportedly masterminded the kidnap of the chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, early this year.

PUNCH Metro had reported that China and seven others were killed by SARS operatives during a rescue operation by the team.

Chigozie was said to have been arrested at her home in Ajah area of the state after policemen alleged that they had found evidence that she was also involved in the activities of the gang.

Four months after the initial arrest, however, Chigozie and her baby are still being held at SARS.

A friend of the suspect, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told PUNCH Metro that the woman had repeatedly told the police that she knew nothing about her late husband’s criminal activities, but the police had still insisted on detaining her.

He said, “Chigoze had told the police that she was in Ghana, managing her husband’s hotel, when China suddenly called her to come down to Nigeria with the kids, that they would be travelling out.

“She was at their home at Ajah, waiting for him, when some SARS policemen came to arrest her.

“Her father and four-year-old daughter were also arrested but her fath was later released. Strangely enough, they have refused to release Chigozie and her baby.

“Chigozie has taken to crying every day, begging the police to charge her to court. She is also worried about her other children whom she has not seen.”

Lagos State Deputy Police spokesman, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, said Chigozie was being detained due to ongoing investigations and because she had allegedly confessed to being in possession of three pistols, which are in her Ghana home.

He said, “Chigozie’s husband is the notorious China, who masterminded the kidnap of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area boss, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, and a Federal High Court Judge.

“He was also responsible for many robberies which included the destruction of several  ATMs. Right now, police have written to INTERPOL, so that they can go to Ghana and access her home and recover the guns. She will be charged to court after that.

“While police are waiting for INTERPOL to acknowledge their letter, Chigozie, her baby and sister-in-law will remain in detention.”


Culled from Punch