Ransom Bag Found In Seriki Fulani’s Kitchen In Ogun As Community Leader Says ‘My Son Was A Kidnapper, But I Thought He Had Changed’

Abeokuta, Ogun State — Security operatives have arrested several suspects in connection with the kidnappings that have terrorised several communities across Ogun State, following the arrest of the 67-year-old Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, Muhammadu Abdullai, and his eldest son.

Although the Fulani community leader has denied any involvement in kidnapping activities, police investigators disclosed that one of the bags allegedly used for the delivery of ransom payments to kidnappers was recovered from his kitchen during a raid on his family compound.

Abdullai, who has served as the leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode for years, admitted that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had previously been convicted and imprisoned for kidnapping.

However, he maintained that he believed his son had abandoned crime after completing a five-year prison sentence.

The arrest followed an extensive investigation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by the Officer-in-Charge, SP Bamidele Shirtu, into a series of kidnappings reported across communities including Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and surrounding areas.

According to police familiar with the investigation, intelligence gathered by detectives linked the recent kidnappings to Bala Muhammadu, who had only recently regained his freedom after serving a prison sentence for a similar offence.

Investigators reportedly traced several incidents to the suspected kidnapper before moving in on the family compound where he was believed to be hiding.

However, security operatives were unable to apprehend Bala after information about their presence allegedly reached members of the family before the raid.

Police said Bala and two of his brothers escaped through nearby bushes moments before officers arrived.

A police involved in the operation said investigators made a significant discovery during the search of the residence.

“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,” the police said.

“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.”

The discovery of the ransom bag has intensified police scrutiny of the family compound and raised fresh questions about the extent of the involvement of family members in the criminal activities under investigation.

Speaking to journalists after his arrest, Abdullai denied any participation in kidnapping operations and insisted that he had spent decades living peacefully in Yorubaland as a cattle rearer and farmer.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Despite denying involvement in the crimes, Abdullai acknowledged that his son Bala had previously engaged in kidnapping activities and had served a prison term as a result.

The Fulani leader disclosed that after Bala was released from prison, he personally took him to a hospital where he received medical treatment for a month because of his poor health condition.

“I know that Bala was into kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison,” Abdullai admitted.

“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.”

The community leader explained that his actions were motivated by parental concern rather than support for criminal behaviour.

“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.”

Also arrested during the operation was Bello Muhammadu, the eldest son of Abdullai.

Bello denied any involvement in kidnapping activities and claimed he was away at his farm when security operatives arrived at the family residence.

“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 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.”

Bello further insisted that his father would never support criminality and claimed the family patriarch would have acted decisively had he known Bala had returned to kidnapping.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has described the operation as another major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping syndicates and violent criminal groups operating across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, attributed the success of the operation to the support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the leadership of the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP 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.

“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.”

According to him, the operation demonstrated the commitment of the police to dismantling criminal networks and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.

“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,” he said.

“Their resilience and intelligence-driven approach continue to frustrate criminal networks and reinforce public confidence in the Police.”

The police spokesperson further assured residents that ongoing efforts are being intensified to identify, arrest and prosecute all members of kidnapping syndicates operating within Ogun State and neighbouring areas.

He also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence that could assist in preventing crime and enhancing public safety.