The police in Ogun State have arrested three suspected kidnappers for allegedly killing an 11-year-old girl, Aminat Ishola.

The suspects ? Babatunde Aderonmu, Sina Damilare, and Kola Taofeek ? were said to have kidnapped the minor, and administered a powdery substance on her while she was in their den, which later resulted in her death.

Aminat, a primary five pupil was reportedly kidnapped at Arugudu in the Ijoko area of Sango in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area on May 21.

It was learnt that she was subsequently moved to the Osun-Jegede, Ogbere area of Ibadan in Oyo State, where she was held captive.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, while parading the suspects on Wednesday in Abeokuta, said one of the suspects, Aderounmu, a former employee of the victim’s father at his bakery, masterminded the abduction.

He was said to have confessed that the girl died after Taofeek, who claimed to be an Alfa (Islamic cleric) administered a powdery substance on the victim to hypnotise her.

Adejobi said, “After kidnapping the girl, she was taken to Osun-Jegede. On the second day, the girl died because they administered some substance on the girl which is suspected to be poison.

“The prime suspect, Aderounmu said Taofeek, who claimed to be an Alfa administered the substance on the girl, which eventually killed her.

“After the girl had died, they packed her corpse into a sack and dumped the sack opposite Ogbere Police Station in Ibadan.

“The following day, a woman whose shop is close to the police station noticed the sack and called the attention of the police . The Divisional Police Officer ordered the opening of the sack and it was discovered that it was a corpse.

“We have carried out an autopsy on the girl and we are awaiting the result.”

Adejobi said the suspects had contacted the parents of the girl and demanded N2m ransom before they would release her, but they finally agreed on N300,000.

He said, “It was at this stage that the parents reported the matter to the police and we swung into action.

“The officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad commenced investigation on the matter, which led to the arrest of the lead suspect, Aderonmu.

“The suspect had sent the account number of a prophetess, who they claimed prayed for them, to the parents.

“The suspects had also confessed that they employed the service of an Alfa who administered a substance on the girl, which led to her death.

“They said they dumped her remains very close to the Divisional Police Station.”

Punch