Suspected kidnapper arrested at Mamobi in Accra

The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has arrested a Nigerian for allegedly attempting to steal a four-year-old boy at Mamobi in Accra.

The man was caught by residents when he tried dragging the boy into a black Toyota Corolla vehicle in the early hours of Sunday.

The police have meanwhile initiated a search for three other suspects said to be involved in the case.

Speaking on Accra based Joy FM Monday, a resident who is said to have helped rescue the suspect from being lynched by angry community members said the suspect was with three other people.

According to the witness, the suspect claimed he and his other colleagues were on a mission to kidnap, adding that they first went to Nima for the operation but was unsuccessful and therefore continued to Mamobi.

The suspect has been sent to the Nima Hospital for treatment following the beatings he received from the mob.

Read also: Families of Takoradi kidnapped girls call off planned demo

An uncle of the would be victim who spoke to Joy FM said the boy who was going to the mosque decided to call other friends to join him, but met the stranger who nearly kidnapped him.

Another witness at the scene said "the man told the boy that his mom was waiting for him in the car and gave him a phone to play a game but the boy resisted and that when they raised the alarm, the suspect also started shouting thief." This he said, was an attempt to confuse the people around.

According to the police the suspect has denied the allegations.

“Well, we have gathered that the suspect is being a bit dodgy, he is trying to distance himself from the alleged attempted child stealing. He said he wasn’t anywhere near where the child was,” ACP Abraham Quaye, the Nima Divisional Police Commander told Joy FM.

He said the suspect claimed he had no idea of what happened because he was going to buy something when the residents shouted “Julo! Julo!” [thief, thief].

He said the stories are disjointed but the police will put the pieces together by following up on eyewitnesses.