Kidnappings in Ogun: Ransom bag found in Seriki Fulani’s kitchen, says police
IJEBU ODE, Ogun State – A bag used to deliver ransom for kidnapped victims has been recovered from the kitchen of Abdullahi Muhammadu, the 67-year-old Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, who was arrested alongside his eldest son over recent kidnappings in the Ijebu area, police have said.
Muhammadu has pleaded innocence but admitted he was aware that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, was involved in kidnapping. He said he believed his son had turned a new leaf after serving a five-year prison term for the same offence.
“I know that Bala was into kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison. After he came back, I took him to the hospital, where he spent one month for treatment,” Muhammadu told newsmen.
“I thought that he had turned a new leaf because he is now into farming and cattle rearing. I didn’t know that he is still into kidnapping. I don’t know if any of my other sons are into kidnapping. I am not into kidnapping and I will not encourage it.”
The police said the wanted Bala and two of his brothers escaped through the bush after being tipped off that security operatives were approaching their family compound.
Bag found in kitchen
A police source told journalists that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, linked a series of kidnappings around Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and other communities to Bala, who had only recently been released from prison.
“After painstaking and intelligence investigation, one of the bags which was used in the payment of the ransom for one of the victims was recovered in the father’s kitchen,” the source said.
“One of the children who saw us coming into the community already hinted Bala and his other brothers and they had escaped through the bush. It is not only Bala who is into the business. There is also Ndaji and one other and we are on their trail. There was an upsurge in kidnapping in the area after Bala was released from prison. He spent five years in prison for kidnapping.”
‘I don’t know anything about the bag’
The Seriki Fulani, who said he has lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years and has four wives and 30 children, insisted he had no hand in his son’s criminal activities.
“I don’t know anything about the bag that was found in my house. I live in the same compound with my children and wives. I have never kidnapped anybody in my life,” he said.
He explained his decision to take his son to hospital after his release: “I didn’t want him to die when he came back from prison. He was looking very sick and pale. I wanted the best for him and other children. I took him to the hospital for treatment. I also encouraged him to stay away from crime.”
Elder brother arrested
Bello Muhammadu, the eldest child of the Seriki Fulani, was also arrested. He told reporters he was on his farm when his father called him about the police operation.
“I am not into kidnapping. I am a herder. I only know that my younger brother, Bala, was arrested and taken to prison some years back. I don’t know anything about what he and any of my brothers are doing,” Bello said.
“If my father had known that Bala had returned to the crime, he would have killed him himself. He does not encourage anything like that.”
Police commend IGP’s support
The Ogun State Police Command’s image maker, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the successful operation was due to support from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
“The Ogun State Police Command commends IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu for his continued support towards tactical policing, intelligence-led operations, and the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes,” Babaseyi said.
“The command equally appreciates the strategic leadership and operational direction of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, which have continued to yield remarkable security successes within Ogun State.”
He described the operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit as a demonstration of “bravery, professionalism and unwavering dedication”, adding that sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle criminal syndicates in the state.
The command urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
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