Kidnappers confess killing 17-year-old boy after fear of exposure

Two suspected kidnappers have confessed to killing a 17-year-old boy, Thomson Adams, in Lagos after he allegedly recognised them and could expose their identities.

The suspects, Anthony Oghenetega, 21, and Elijah Emmanuel, 23, were arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command in connection with the abduction and murder.

Parading the suspects on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, said the victim was lured to an apartment in the Ikorodu area on 22 April, where he was later killed.

Police said the suspects had planned to abduct the teenager, record him in captivity and demand ransom from his family.

However, Oghenetega said the decision to kill him was taken after they feared he would identify them.

“We killed him because he knew my associate very well and could expose us,” he said during interrogation.

He explained that the victim was restrained, chained and filmed shortly after arriving at the apartment, before he was strangled and later dumped in a bush.

The suspects allegedly used deception to lure the teenager, welcoming him as though he were a friend before attacking him.

Police said investigations also linked the suspects to another kidnapping and murder case in November 2025, during which a ransom of ₦300,000 was reportedly collected.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.

The case has renewed concerns over rising violent kidnappings in parts of Lagos State. (Source: Vanguard News)