In a major breakthrough in its investigation into multiple kidnapping incidents in Ijebu area of Ogun State, the State Police Command says it has recovered a bag allegedly linked to ransom collections from the residence of 67-year-old Muhammadu Abdulahi, the Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode.
The Fulani community leader and his first son, Bello Muhammadu, have been taken into custody by the State Police Command over their alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate.
Although both suspects maintain their innocence, investigators report that a bag used to collect a victim’s ransom was recovered from the kitchen of their residence.
Acknowledging his family’s history, the community leader stated he was aware that another son, Bala Muhammadu, had previously served time for kidnapping, but insisted he thought the youth had rehabilitated.
Bala and two of his brothers are currently at large; sources report they received a tip-off regarding the security operation and escaped into the surrounding bush before officers could secure the compound.
The operation was executed by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, who have been tracking a wave of kidnappings targeting Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa, and adjacent communities. Intelligence reports had previously flagged Bala Muhammadu as a prime suspect in the ongoing investigation.
Police said he had recently completed a five-year prison sentence for kidnapping.
A police source disclosed that the recovery of the alleged ransom bag was one of the key outcomes of the operation.
“Following painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation, one of the bags used in the payment of ransom to secure the release of a victim was recovered in the father’s kitchen. Before officers arrived, Bala and some of his brothers were alerted and escaped through the bush.”
It was alleged that Bala was not the only member of the family connected to criminal activities, adding that security operatives were also searching for other suspects identified as Ndaji and another brother.
“There was a noticeable increase in kidnapping activities in the area after Bala was released from prison,” the source added.
Defending his innocence, Abdulahi stated he is a legitimate cattle rearer and farmer who has lived in Yorubaland for over 30 years.
He noted that his title, Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, was officially conferred upon him by the late Awujale of Ijebuland.
“I know nothing about the bag found in my house,” Abdulahi insisted.
“I live in the same compound with my wives and children, but I have never kidnapped anyone.”
While acknowledging his son Bala’s past kidnapping conviction, Abdulahi explained that he personally paid for Bala’s medical treatment after prison due to his poor health.
“When Bala returned from prison, he was very sick and weak. I took him to the hospital for a month,” he said.
“I believed he had changed because he took up farming and cattle rearing. I never knew he was still involved in kidnapping.”
He stressed that he does not condone criminality while his other son, Bello Muhammadu, also denied the allegations, explaining that he only returned from the farm because his father needed help translating.
“My father called me because he could not understand what the officers were saying,” Bello said.
“I am a herder and have never been involved in kidnapping. If my father had known Bala returned to crime, he would have stopped him himself.”
Meanwhile, Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, credited the operation’s success to the strategic leadership of Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni and Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun.
Babaseyi emphasized that the raid proves the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing, vowing that the command will continue dismantling criminal networks across the state.
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