EXCLUSIVE: Bamigbetan: Police Turns Down OPC's Offer of Help

LAGOS PRO, NGOZI BRAIDE

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Following the offer by the Oodua People Congress (OPC) to assist the police in investigating the kidnap of the Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council  Development Area (LCDA), Kehinde Bamigbetan, the Lagos State Police Command yesterday turned down the offer.

According to the command, it would not need the assistance of the group since it was already outlawed  and doing otherwise would be an aberration.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, of the state command, Mr.  Damasus Ozoani, an Assistant Superintendent of Police made this disclosure  yesterday, adding that the offer from the banned group is unnecessary. 

He said,  "The OPC is an outlawed group and cannot work with a constituted authority. OPC is a banned organisation and it remains banned, so we are not aware of them working with us to secure Bamigbetan's  release."

Contrary to claims that the police have arrested some persons in connection with the kidnap, Ozoani said no arrest has been made, adding that they are on top of the situation.

He said, "We are yet to make any arrest for now but we are on top of the situation. Again, we have our strategy and we cannot disclose it in public for fear of jeopardising the gains we have attained in the course of investigation.

“Let me assure you that police is on top of the situation and efforts are on top gear to ensure his immediate release. There will be proper briefing after his release.”

However, prayer sessions were held at the victim's residence at the No21, Ono Iwa Mimo Street, Ori-Oke, Egbe, as well wishes gathered to say a word of prayer for the victim.

Close sources to the family said they resorted to prayers as the delay in releasing the victim had become nerve wracking. 

He could not however say the extent at which the negotiation had reached. The kidnappers had initially demanded for a whopping sum of N1million dollars although it was gathered that the ransom has been decreased.