An attempt to kidnap three children of former Operations Manager in Agip, Mr Morenikeji Aderibigbe, was yesterday foiled, when militants supposedly enlisted by his driver turned out to be police informants.
This is as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lonestar Drilling, Chief Humphrey Idisi, appealed to kidnappers of his wife, Margaret, to re-open discussions with him on her release.
He said it has been three days since he last heard from the kidnappers who had asked him to sell one of his oil rigs to pay the N1 billion ransom, for the 56-year-old grand mother.
The children, Ayodele (7) and Titilayo(4) are pupils of Greens Oak International School, Woji, while the third, two-year-old Bimbo, was in the car because of her closeness to the driver, Mr Alex Elunwo.
Elunwo contacted some people to kidnap the children and even took them round to show them where police checkpoints are to avoid detection.
He also told them that the BMW car he used to drop the children at school has central lock, and assured that he will demobilise the central lock for the operation.
They also agreed that they will demand N15 million. Yesterday morning, Elunwo took the children to OCC Park, where security men dressed in police uniform and armed were already waiting for him.
One of the kids, Ayodele also fled, but the assumed kidnappers brought him back.
They were, however, taken to the Police headquarters at Moscow road.
Aderibigbe said, �this driver has been in my employ for three years. I pay him N25,000 monthly and my last girl, Bimbo, is so attached to him that wherever he goes, she would want to go with him. I never believed he could plan this type of thing,� he said.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Felix Ogbaudu confirm the incident, and promised to recommend those who foil the attempt to the governor for reward.
Elunwo, however, denied being part of the crime, insisting that he was blocked by a car and the children taken from him, adding �I know there is nothing that I will say that will convince my master, but I leave everything to God.�