Suspected kidnapper blames harsh economy for his act (photo)

This middle-aged man pictured below, Charles Ibeleme was caught yesterday by the residents of  Odi Olowo in the Mushin area of Lagos State while he was allegedly taking away a child he had just kidnapped.

According to Punch, while begging the mob not to lynch him, Ibeleme said he was forced into kidnapping because of the harsh economic condition in the country.

An eyewitness, who gave his name only as Sunmibare, said Ibeleme pleaded with the mob not to lynch him, as he was only finding a means of survival. He said,

“We caught him in the afternoon. He was taking a child away from our area. People beat
him up and tore his clothes. The man was afraid that he would be lynched and pleaded that his life should be spared. He said he was looking for money.

“He explained that the harsh economy forced him into the act. This got people angry and they would have killed him, but for the arrival of the policemen.”

Ibeleme was thereafter handed over to policemen from the Olosan division.