Stepbrother’s drug debt behind boy’s abduction, police say
• A 14- year- old boy was abducted on his way to school as retribution for a massive “cocaine heist” executed by his stepbrother, Toronto police alleged on Thursday as they issued a plea for the teen’s safe return.
Supt. Steve Watts said the Amber Alert issued in relation to the disappearance of Shammah Jolayemi remains in effect nearly 36 hours after he was heard crying for help as he was forced into a vehicle near his home.
He said there has since been communication from his alleged abductors and police believe the boy is alive, but offered no further details.
Watts said that while the teen’s stepbrother is suspected of involvement in highlevel drug trafficking, Shammah himself had no such connection.
“This is a 14- year- old, innocent child,” Watts said at a news conference. “He is not a part of that business, he is not a part of that lifestyle.”
Police said Shammah was last seen at 8: 30 a. m. in the city’s northwest where his family lives. Investigators previously said he was heard screaming “help me, help me” as he was forced inside a Jeep Wrangler.
Watts said a burned- out vehicle located near the town of Caledon, Ont., is believed to be the Jeep in question.
Watts said bystanders reported Shammah’s cries for help to police, who launched an investigation, but the incident was not connected to the teen until his parents reported him missing shortly after 5:30 p.m.
The boy’s high school failed to notify his family of his day-long absence because his teachers missed an attendance reporting deadline, the Toronto District School Board said.
Watts provided few details about the drug “rip” that allegedly triggered Shammah’s abduction, but said it occurred in the summer of 2019 and involved approximately 100 kg of cocaine.
He said the boy’s stepbrother, Olalekan Osikoya, is suspected to have fled the area some time after the drugs were taken. He said officers have since made contact with Osikoya and he is co-operating with investigators.
Shammah is described as about six feet tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, grey track pants with a thin orange stripe, shiny black puffy coat, and black and yellow Air Jordan shoes.
The suspects who were last seen with him are described as men between 18 and 22, who were wearing bandanas and black jackets.