Kidnappings in Ogun: Ransom bag found in Seriki Fulani’s kitchen

By: Abudu Olalekan

A 67-year-old Fulani leader in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Abdullai Muhammadu, has denied involvement in recent kidnappings around the Ijebu axis, even after police said one of the bags used to deliver ransom was found in his kitchen.

Muhammadu, who is the Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, was arrested alongside his eldest son as police continued investigations into a string of kidnappings in communities such as Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode and Okun Owa.

But the old man insists he is innocent.

He admitted, however, that he knew one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had once been involved in kidnapping. According to him, Bala had served a five-year jail term for the offence, but he believed his son had changed after returning from prison.

“I knew Bala was into kidnapping before. He was arrested and sent to prison,” Muhammadu told journalists. “When he came back, I took him to the hospital because he was very sick. He spent one month there for treatment. I thought he had turned a new leaf.”

Police sources said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, linked several recent kidnapping cases in the Ijebu area to Bala, who had only recently returned from prison.

According to a police source, investigators recovered one of the bags allegedly used for ransom payment inside Muhammadu’s kitchen.

“After painstaking and intelligence-led investigation, one of the bags used in the payment of ransom for one of the victims was recovered in the father’s kitchen,” the source said.

The source added that Bala and two of his brothers allegedly escaped through the bush after being alerted that security operatives were around their family compound.

“One of the children who saw us coming into the community already hinted Bala and his other brothers, and they escaped through the bush,” the source added.

Police believe Bala was not acting alone. Two other brothers, identified as Ndaji and another unnamed sibling, are also being tracked.

The source claimed there had been a rise in kidnappings in the area after Bala returned from prison.

Muhammadu, however, said he had nothing to do with any criminal activity and could not explain how the bag got into his house.

“My name is Muhammadu Abdullai. I am a cattle rearer and also a farmer,” he said. “I have been in Yorubaland for more than 30 years. I have four wives and 30 children here. The immediate past Awujale of Ijebu Ode honoured me with the title of Seriki Fulani.

“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 only helped Bala after prison because he was ill and looked weak.

“I didn’t want him to die when he came back from prison,” he said. “He was looking very sick and pale. I wanted the best for him and my other children. I took him to the hospital and also encouraged him to stay away from crime.”

Muhammadu’s eldest son, Bello, who was also arrested, denied involvement in kidnapping.

Bello said he was on the farm when police arrived at the family compound and that his father later called him because he could not understand what the officers were saying.

“I am Bello Muhammadu. I am the eldest child of my father,” he said. “I was not at home when the policemen came. I was on the farm. I am not into kidnapping. I am a herder.”

He said he only knew Bala had been arrested and jailed years ago, but had no knowledge of his recent activities.

“If my father had known that Bala had returned to the crime, he would have killed him himself,” Bello said. “He does not encourage anything like that.”

Speaking on the operation, the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command’s recent successes against kidnappers and other criminal groups were made possible by strong support from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni.

“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.

He added that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit’s operation, which led to arrests and the recovery of incriminating exhibits, showed the courage and professionalism of the officers involved.

The command assured residents that efforts were being intensified to break up criminal syndicates operating in Ogun State and nearby areas.

It also urged members of the public to continue sharing timely and credible information with security agencies.

Reportersroom gathered that police are still searching for Bala and the other fleeing suspects.