*Says Thought Son Had Stopped Kidnapping After Release From Prison
ONE of the bags used in delivering ransom to kidnappers has been recovered from the kitchen of the Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Abdullai Muhammadu.
However, the 67-year-old father of 30 children, who was recently arrested, alongside his eldest son, by the state Police Command, over cases kidnappings around Ijebu area, stated that he was innocent, even though he admitted knowing that one of his sons, Bala, was into kidnapping.
Muhammadu said he thought Bala had repented and turned a new leaf, following his release from prison, after serving years in jail for a related offence, insisting he had no hand in his son’s criminal activities, though they both lived in the same compound.
According too Tribune, Muhammadu also admitted to taking Bala, who is now on the run, having escaped arrest, to the hospital for medical treatment for a month after his release from proson.
It was gathered that Bala and his two other brothers were alerted about the presence of security operatives around their family compound and allegedly escaped through the bush before they could be arrested.
Operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by Bamidele Shittu (SP), while investigating the various kidnappings around Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and others, had reportedly traced all the cases to Bala.
According to a Police source quoted by Tribune: “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.”
Muhammadu told journalists: “My name is Muhammadu Abdullai. I am a cattle rearer and also a farmer. I have been in Yorubaland for more than 30 years now. I have four wives and 30 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.
“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. So, I took him to the hospital for treatment. I also encouraged him to stay away from crime.”
Bala’s elder brother, 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.”
Spokesman of the state Police Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, explained that the successful crackdown on kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state was as a result of the support from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, in the areas of tactical policing, intelligence-led operations and the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He added: “The successful operation carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, leading to the neutralisation/arrest of the notorious suspects 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.”
He assured residents of sustained efforts to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating in the state and its environs, urging them to continue to avail security agencies with timely and credible information about criminals and criminal activities in the state.
