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Couple arrested over kidnap of Okocha’s niece, nephew

By Tunde Odesola, Osogbo

A couple, Mr. and Mrs. Oluchukwu Innocent, has been arrested by the police over alleged kidnap of two children belonging to the elder brother of England-based soccer star, Austin Okocha.

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Speaking with our correspondent at the police headquarters, Oke-Fia, Osogbo on Tuesday, wife of the suspect, Oluchukwu, confessed that her husband decided to kidnap the kids because Okocha’s elder brother failed to secure a British visa for him.

The kids – a boy and a girl – answered to the names Makua and Buchi which they were called by Oluchukwu.

They appeared to have developed a liking for her as Buchi, the girl and younger one, wept when they were separated from her.

The kids appeared to be six and four years old.

But the police alleged the couple demanded N20 million ransom from James after kidnapping the kids.

Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mr. Joshua Olayemi, explained that the kids were recovered from the couple in Apomu village, Osun State.

He said, “The kids were kidnapped in Lagos and taken to Akure, where the wife resides. They were subsequently taken to Apomu village so that they could not be found.

“But the people of the village, who noticed that something was amiss, reported them to the police. They wanted to extort money from Austin Okocha, the younger brother of James.”

Oluchukwu said, “I am a graduate of Economics. I am from Ozalla in Isikwuato Local Government Council of Abia State. My husband brought the two kids to our home in Akure.

“I served in the National Youth Service Corps scheme in Akure. I don’t have a child yet. I lost a pregnancy when this visa problem started.

“They are Austin Okocha’s elder brother’s kids.

The name of Austin Okocha’s elder brother is James Okocha. He promised to secure a British visa for my husband since December 2006 but he failed after collecting money from my husband.

“He (James) came to show my husband a photocopy of the British visa he purportedly secured. My husband subsequently sold off his textile business in Onitsha and headed for Lagos in anticipation of travelling to England.