A 21-year-old man revealed to be ThankGod Destiny, has been arrested by the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) for kidnapping a four-year-old boy in Benin City. The incident occurred on January 4, 2026, at Ikpoba Hill.
Deputy Corps Commander of Operations, Richard Balogun, disclosed that the suspect kidnapped the child while the mother’s attention was diverted . Destiny then boarded a commercial bus heading towards Kings Square with the boy.
The bus driver became suspicious due to the lack of resemblance between Destiny and the child. When questioned, Destiny first claimed he was taking the boy to the hospital, then later said he was buying shoes for him. These inconsistent answers raised alarms among passengers.
A female passenger and the driver alerted nearby ESSC officers, who promptly intervened. They arrested Destiny and rescued the child unharmed. The boy has since been reunited with his family.
Balogun emphasized the importance of public vigilance and commended the quick actions of the bus driver and passenger. He assured that the ESSC remains committed to combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents in Edo State.
