2 Nigerians held for kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines — Two Nigerian men were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a pregnant woman in Manila at past midnight yesterday.

Kelly Lolo Ayeb-Lamai, 22, and Gideo Elijah Abu, 22, were accused of detaining Jeizel Catherine Santillan, 26, at Ayeb-Lamai’s unit at the Residencia de Manila in Paco, said Police Officer 3 Rodel Benitez of the Manila Police District (MPD) general assignment and investigation section (GAIS). 

Santillan’s father sought the assistance of the Manila Police District to rescue his daughter after she called him.

GAIS operatives rescued Santillan from Ayeb-Lamai’s unit at around 12:05 a.m.

Abu told police Santillan was his girlfriend and they invited her to explain what happened to the missing money they entrusted with her.

Abu said he has a friend whose father needed an operation in Malaysia and that the man’s wife wanted to send money for the operation but they have no bank account in the country.

He said Santillan, who is five months pregnant, offered them the use of her bank account. The Nigerians said they found out that Santillan received the money but did not tell them and could not account for the misssing money.

Chief Inspector Joey de Ocampo, GAIS chief, said the Nigerians filed a complaint for estafa against Santillan on Feb. 28.

The Nigerians were charged with kidnapping before the Manila prosecutor’s office.