suspected Lagos kidnapper Tosin oke begs.

Tosin Oke, also known as "Old Soldier," a suspected kidnapper operating in Lagos, has recently made headlines after pleading for mercy, claiming that the ransom money he obtained from his alleged criminal activities was used to support his children's school fees and feeding. This shocking revelation comes amid rising concerns about the pervasive issue of kidnapping in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, which has seen a surge in such crimes over the years.

suspected kidnapper, Tosin Oke, also known as “Old Soldier,” who was part of a gang that abducted an oil magnate on Ado Road in Ajah months ago, has revealed how he spent his share of the ransom he received after the operation with other members of his kidnapping gang.

Oke's assertions have sparked a mix of outrage and sympathy within the public and media. While some argue that his actions cannot be justified, as kidnapping is a serious crime that instills fear in communities and disrupts lives, others express concern over the socioeconomic pressures that might lead individuals to resort to such desperate measures. Oke’s case highlights a broader issue regarding poverty, unemployment, and lack of social support systems that can push people to take extreme actions.

In an interview with Vanguard, Oke, who spoke in Pidgin English, said;

“They gave me $1,700, and when I exchanged it at the Bureau De Change, I received N1.8 million. I used part of it for my children’s school fees, feeding, and saved the rest in my account. 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.”

The oil magnate was at his dredging site when a six-man armed gang abducted him, taking him away in a speedboat to an undisclosed location via the waterways. The heavily armed kidnappers fired shots into the air to deter anyone from approaching them.

The victim’s family managed to raise N42 million, which they converted into $30,000 as demanded by the kidnappers, along with an additional N100,000 in cash. The ransom was delivered to the gang, but three of the kidnappers, Adelaja Ikuesan, 37, Tosin Oke, 40, and Oluwabunmi Yusuf, 39, were eventually apprehended in their hideout after dividing the ransom.

Oke, who had been involved in bunkering and kidnapping for a long time, admitted that he had used his share of the ransom to address his family’s needs. He denied that the mansion he built in the Badagry area of Lagos was solely funded by his criminal activities, claiming that it was constructed with contributions from his family members

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