Leader of the Fulani community (Seriki Fulani) in Ijebu Ode, Abdullai Muhammadu, arrested alongside his eldest child by the police in Ogun State over kidnappings in the vicinity, has pleaded innocence, following the recovery of a bag with which ransom was delivered from his kitchen.
This was as he admitted knowing that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, is into kidnapping, but that he felt that he had turned a new leaf. He dissociated himself from his son’s criminal activities, though they both live in the same compound.
The 67 year old also admitted to having taken the wanted suspected kidnapper to the hospital for medical treatment for a month after being released from the correctional centre, where he served a five-year jail term for kidnapping.
When the wanted Bala and his two other brothers were hinted of the presence of security operatives around their family house, they reportedly fled into the bush.
Investigations by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, reportedly linked all kidnap incidents around Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and others, to Bala, who was just released from prison for the same kidnapping offence.
“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. 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,” Tribune quotes a police source as saying.
Speaking with reporters, Abdullai said, “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 immediate past Awujale of Ijebu Ode.
“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.”
The Seriki Fulani however admitted that he was aware that one of his sons, Bala, was into kidnapping.
He said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
An elder brother to the wanted brothers, Bello, who was also arrested by the police, said: “I am Bello Muhammadu. I am the eldest child of my father. I was not at home when the policemen came. I was in the farm when my father called me. He could not understand what the policemen were saying.
“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.
“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.”
The police public relations officer in the state, Oluseyi Babaseyi, while speaking on the arrest of the suspects, stated that the police’s successful operation on kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state was as a result of the 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.
“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/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,” Babaseyi said.
The command assured residents that sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating within the state and its environs while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
