An 80-year-old man has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command over an allegation of attempted kidnap.

According to reports, the suspect – identified as one Mufutau – attempted to kidnap three children at the Oluwole market, near Waterside, in Apapa.

He was reportedly arrested in a boat along Apapa-Olodi Apapa waterside while trying to flee from an angry mob.

An eyewitness, Adetunji Salami, said the suspect was caught with the children after allegedly “touching their foreheads with money brought from a white envelope”.

“When we asked why touching them, he quickly joined a canoe going to Olodi Apapa. We then stopped the boat midway and he was dragged down,” he said.

One of the children confirmed that the suspect had rubbed money on his forehead. He said the man approached them and asked for directions on how to get to Olodi Apapa after which he brought out the money and touched their foreheads with it.

“He approached us and asked how he could get to Olodi Apapa. We directed him and (he) brought out money to touch our foreheads.”

Mr Muftau upon interrogation, however, denied ever having any contact with the children. He claimed he had never seen them.

But some traders in Oluwole market said they had seen him ‘patrol’ the market and thought he was a lunatic because of his unkempt appearance.

The police officers intervened while the mob were assaulting the suspect and took him away to Area B Police Division for interrogation.