• Suspect says: ‘I knew my son was a kidnapper, but I thought he had stopped’
Abdullai Muhammadu, the 67-year-old Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, who was arrested alongside his eldest child by police in Ogun State for recent kidnappings around communities in the Ijebu area, has pleaded innocent. However, one of the bags used to deliver ransom was recovered in his kitchen.
He did admit that he was aware that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, is involved in kidnapping, but said he believed his son had turned over a new leaf.
He also insisted that he had no part in his son’s criminal activities, even though they both live in the same compound.
The Fulani leader also admitted to having taken the wanted suspected kidnapper to hospital for medical treatment for a month after he was released from the correctional centre, where he had served a five-year prison sentence for kidnapping.
The wanted Bala and his two other brothers were reportedly tipped off about the presence of security operatives near their family compound and allegedly fled through the bush.
It was gathered that operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by the officer in charge, SP Bamidele Shirtu, while investigating the various incidents of kidnapping around Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and other areas, linked them all to Bala, who had only recently been released from prison for the same kidnapping offence.
A police source said: “After painstaking and intelligence-led investigation, one of the bags which was used to pay the ransom for one of the victims was recovered in the father’s kitchen. One of the children who saw us entering the community tipped off Bala and his other brothers, and they escaped through the bush.
“It is not only Bala who is involved in this business. There is also Ndaji and one other, and we are on their trail. There was a surge in kidnappings in the area after Bala was released from prison. He spent five years in prison for kidnapping.”
Muhammadu Abdullai told reporters: “My name is Muhammadu Abdulai. I am a cattle rearer and also a farmer. I have been in Yorubaland for more than thirty years now. I have four wives and thirty children in Yorubaland. I was honoured with the title of Seriki of Fulani in Ijebu Ode by the previous Awujale of Ijebu Ode.
“I don’t know anything about the bag that was found in my house. I live in the same compound as my children and wives. I have never kidnapped anyone in my life.”
The Seriki Fulani did, however, admit that he was aware that one of his sons, Bala, was involved in kidnapping.
He said: “I know that Bala was involved in kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison. After he came back, I took him to hospital, where he spent a month having treatment.
“I thought he had turned over a new leaf because he is now into farming and cattle rearing. I didn’t know that he is still involved in kidnapping. I don’t know if any of my other sons are involved in kidnapping. I am not a kidnapper and I will not encourage it.
“I didn’t want him to die when he came back from prison. He looked very sick and pale. I wanted the best for him and my other children. I took him to hospital for treatment. I also encouraged him to stay away from crime.”
An elder brother of the wanted men, Bello, who was also arrested by police, said: “I am Bello Muhammadu. I am the eldest child of my father. I was not at home when the police came. I was on the farm when my father called me. He could not understand what the police were saying.
“I am not involved in kidnapping. I am a herder. I only know that my younger brother, Bala, was arrested and taken to prison some years ago. I don’t know anything about what he or any of my brothers are doing.
“If my father had known that Bala had returned to crime, he would have killed him himself. He does not encourage anything like that.”
The police public relations officer for the state command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, while speaking on the arrest of the suspects, noted that the police’s successful operation against kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state was thanks to support from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
Babaseyi said: “The Ogun State Police Command commends IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu for his continued support of tactical policing, intelligence-led operations, and the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“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.
“The successful operation carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, leading to the neutralisation and arrest of the notorious suspect and recovery of incriminating exhibits, underscores the bravery, professionalism and unwavering dedication of the operatives.
“Their resilience and intelligence-driven approach continue to frustrate criminal networks and reinforce public confidence in the police.”
The command assured residents that sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating within the state and its surrounding areas, while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
