A mad man suspected of kidnapping has been apprehended in Lagos state.
The individual, known as Mr. Godwin, had been masquerading as a person with mental health issues to mask his purported engagement in illicit activities.
He was taken into custody on Monday by agents of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Epe Command.
Godwin, hailing from Ughelli Local Government Area in Delta State, had been under covert observation for over a month due to intelligence briefs and increasing suspicion from locals.
Worried residents had noticed his peculiar conduct, which included discreetly changing attire every morning and participating in frequent late-night conversations on the phone.
As per the statement from LNSC, the suspect often sought refuge in an abandoned security post situated along Lagos Road near the T-junction in Epe. His activities raised alarms, prompting locals to notify the LNSC.
On Monday, during a standard patrol, officers were alerted that Godwin was momentarily absent from the site.
The team quickly acted on the intel, searching the deserted structure. During the operation, they found 27 registered SIM cards concealed within a segment of a block wall.
LNSC officers then waited and captured the suspect soon after he returned. During initial questioning, he affirmed his name and origin but withheld information about the whereabouts of any mobile phones associated with the SIM cards.
A local food vendor who had occasionally interacted with the suspect informed authorities that while Mr. Godwin projected the image of someone mentally ill, his discussions and demeanor often suggested otherwise.
“On May 5, during a standard patrol, officers were notified by locals that the suspect was briefly absent from the vicinity. Swiftly acting on this information, the patrol team searched the structure and uncovered 27 registered SIM cards hidden within a segment of a block wall.
“Officers were promptly dispatched, leading to Mr. Godwin’s arrest shortly after he returned. During questioning, he confirmed his identity and background yet chose not to disclose where any mobile phones linked to the SIM cards were located.
“A local food vendor corroborated accounts of his unusual behavior, remarking that he often appeared mentally sound despite exhibiting an erratic lifestyle,” the statement partly read.
The suspect is currently in detention while inquiries continue to ascertain the scope of his involvement in potential kidnapping or related criminal activities.