The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered a fresh lead in its ongoing crackdown on kidnappers operating across parts of Ijebu land, following the recovery of a bag allegedly used for ransom payments from the residence of a prominent Fulani leader in Ijebu Ode.
The leader of the Fulani community in the area, 67-year-old Muhammadu Abdullai, popularly known as the Seriki Fulani, was recently arrested alongside his eldest son during investigations into a series of abductions reported in communities including Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode and Okun Owa.
Although Abdullai denied any involvement in the criminal activities under investigation, he admitted that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had previously been convicted and imprisoned for kidnapping.
Police sources disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, traced several kidnapping incidents in the area to Bala, who had recently regained freedom after serving a five-year prison sentence for a similar offence.
According to a source familiar with the investigation, detectives recovered a bag allegedly used to deliver ransom money to kidnappers from the suspect's family compound.
The source said security operatives had stormed the residence in search of Bala and other suspects, but they reportedly escaped through a nearby bush after receiving information about the police operation.
“The investigation revealed a connection between several kidnapping incidents and Bala. During the operation, one of the bags reportedly used in collecting ransom payments was recovered from the kitchen in the family house. Before the operatives arrived, some members of the household allegedly alerted the suspects, who fled the area,” the source stated.
The source further alleged that Bala was not acting alone, adding that security agencies were tracking other suspected members of the gang.
Speaking with journalists, Abdullai maintained his innocence, insisting he had never participated in kidnapping activities.
The community leader said he had lived in the South-West for over three decades and had built a livelihood through farming and cattle rearing.
He acknowledged that Bala had previously engaged in kidnapping and served a jail term but claimed he believed his son had abandoned criminal activities after his release.
“I knew he had been involved in kidnapping in the past and was sent to prison. When he returned, he was seriously ill, so I ensured he received medical treatment. I thought he had changed because he started farming and taking care of cattle,” he said.
Abdullai also denied knowledge of the bag allegedly recovered from his residence, noting that he shared the compound with his wives and children.
Similarly, his eldest son, Bello Muhammadu, who was also arrested during the operation, denied involvement in any criminal activity.
Bello said he was working on his farm when police officers arrived and only returned after being contacted by his father.
He insisted that apart from Bala's previous conviction, he had no knowledge of any criminal dealings involving his siblings.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, attributed the success of the operation to intelligence-driven policing and support from the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.
He commended officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their efforts in tracking criminal elements and recovering exhibits linked to ongoing investigations.
Babaseyi assured residents that the command would continue its offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state, urging members of the public to provide timely information that could assist security agencies in apprehending fleeing suspects.
He added that efforts were ongoing to dismantle criminal networks operating within Ogun State and neighbouring communities.
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