/ 30 November 2001

SUSPECTED CHILD KIDNAPPER CAUGHT IN LAGOS

A MOB arrested a suspected child kidnapper Tuesday in the Nigerian capital and handed him over to the police, the national television station reported. The suspect lured a two-year-old baby with biscuits and put him in the blood-stained boot of his car before his vehicle was blocked by the mob, the report said. He was later taken away by police for questioning, according to the television report which contained footage of the drama. There have been reports of child kidnapping in many Nigerian cities since the beginning of the year. Police have repeatedly warned parents against allowing their children to wander. Kidnapped children are either made victims of slave labour or sold to ritualists. A man was arrested about two weeks ago in Lagos with fresh human skulls. – AFP