8-year-old boy kidnapped from school, exchanged for N51,000 goods in Lagos

LAGOS—Attempt by a middle-aged man to exchange an eight-year-old
kidnapped boy with goods worth N51,000 in Surulere area of Lagos, has been
foiled , following his arrest, Monday.
The suspect, identified as Jonathan Cooker, reportedly kidnapped the primary
school pupil (names withheld) who was returning from a summer coaching in a
school located around Lawrence road.
Thereafter, he reportedly took the boy to a provision store located on Cole
Street and ordered for crates of soft drinks worth N51,000.
Instead of paying, he was said to have told the shop owner that he would be
leaving his younger brother (kidnapped boy) behind, to get money from the
house. The unsuspecting shop owner obliged him and gave the crates of soft
drinks to him.
But the bubble burst after a passer-by who identified the little boy asked what
he was doing in the shop. At that moment, Cooker reportedly increased his
pace in a bid to escape from the scene . But he was immediately apprehended
when the little boy told the passer-by that he was picked by a stranger.