The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered a fresh lead in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping syndicates operating across communities in the Ijebu area, following the recovery of a bag allegedly used to collect ransom payments from the residence of a prominent Fulani leader.
Key Highlights:
The bag was reportedly found in the kitchen of 67-year-old Muhammadu Abdullai, the Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, who was arrested alongside his eldest son during a police operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the area.
Although Abdullai denied any involvement in kidnapping activities, he admitted that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had previously been convicted and imprisoned for kidnapping.
According to police sources, investigators linked a series of abductions in communities including Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode and Okun Owa to Bala, who was recently released after serving a five-year prison sentence for a similar offence.
The source disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, traced one of the ransom bags to Abdullai’s residence during an intelligence-driven operation.
“Following extensive investigations, one of the bags used for ransom collection was recovered from the suspect’s father’s kitchen,” the source said.
The police further revealed that Bala and two of his brothers allegedly escaped through a nearby bush after receiving information that security operatives were approaching their family compound.
Authorities suspect that more members of the family may be involved in the criminal network and said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
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Speaking with journalists, Abdullai maintained his innocence and insisted he had no connection to his son’s alleged activities.
“I know Bala was involved in kidnapping in the past. He was arrested and sent to prison. When he returned, he was very ill and I took him to the hospital for treatment for about a month,” he said.
“I believed he had changed because he was involved in farming and cattle rearing. I had no idea he was still engaged in criminal activities.”
The community leader, who said he has lived in the South-West for more than three decades and was conferred with the title of Seriki Fulani by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, also denied knowledge of the bag recovered from his home.
“I have never kidnapped anyone in my life. I live in the same compound with my wives and children, so I cannot explain how the bag got there,” he added.
His eldest son, Bello Muhammadu, who was also arrested during the operation, likewise denied involvement in kidnapping.
According to Bello, he was working on his farm when police officers arrived at the family residence.
“I am a herder and know nothing about kidnapping. The only thing I know is that Bala was imprisoned years ago. I do not know what he or any of my brothers are involved in,” he said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, said the recent successes recorded against kidnappers and other criminal elements were made possible through enhanced tactical support and intelligence gathering.
