What began as an attempt by a 16-year-old girl to rewrite her WAEC examination has now ended in one of the most heartbreaking stories to come out of Ogun State in recent weeks.
Police have arrested 30-year-old teacher and choir master, Nathaniel Baiyegun, over the alleged kidnapping and death of his former student after a ransom scheme reportedly spiralled out of control.
According to investigators, the teenager had failed English and Mathematics in her previous WAEC examination and was preparing to rewrite the papers this year. Baiyegun, who previously taught Physics and Further Mathematics at her former school, allegedly invited her to a coaching lesson on April 8, 2026.
That day became the last time the girl was seen alive.
Her family later received a disturbing phone call from unknown persons demanding ₦3 million ransom for her release. After desperate negotiations, the family reportedly managed to pay ₦500,000, hoping she would be freed safely.
But the teenager never returned home.
Her remains were later discovered in a river in Ogijo, throwing her family and the community into shock.
Police investigations later led to the arrest of Baiyegun by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command.
According to police findings, the suspect allegedly lured the teenager into a fake kidnap arrangement to extort money from her family. Investigators also claimed the teacher had previously requested explicit photographs from the girl and attempted to pressure her into a relationship with a friend identified as Sola.
While speaking after his arrest, Baiyegun admitted planning the fake abduction but claimed the girl’s death was accidental.
He alleged that after keeping her inside an uncompleted building, he gave her sleeping tablets because she complained about being unable to sleep properly. He later returned and reportedly found her struggling to breathe.
Instead of taking her for urgent medical help, he confessed to dumping her body in a river and lying to a motorcyclist who assisted him during the movement.
The suspect also admitted receiving the ₦500,000 ransom payment from the victim’s father even after the teenager had already died. According to him, most of the money was later spent on online sports betting.
Reacting to the case, police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi said the arrest highlights the commitment of security operatives to dismantling criminal networks across the state.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians expressing heartbreak over the betrayal of trust involved, especially as the suspect was reportedly seen by many as a respected teacher and church leader before the allegations emerged.