ABDULLAI Muhammadu, the 67-year-old Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has denied any involvement in a series of kidnapping incidents in communities across the Ijebu axis, despite the recovery of a bag allegedly used to collect ransom from his residence.
Muhammadu was arrested alongside his eldest son by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command in connection with ongoing investigations into kidnappings in Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and neighbouring communities.
Although he maintained his innocence, the Fulani leader admitted that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had previously been convicted and imprisoned for kidnapping.
He said he believed Bala had abandoned criminal activities after serving his sentence.
According to police sources, investigators from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, linked several recent kidnapping cases in the area to Bala, who was recently released from prison after serving a five-year jail term for a similar offence.
A police source disclosed that one of the bags allegedly used for the payment of ransom to kidnappers was recovered from Muhammadu’s kitchen during a raid on the family compound.
The source added that Bala and two of his brothers reportedly fled through a nearby bush after being alerted to the presence of security operatives.
“After painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation, one of the bags used in the payment of ransom for a victim was recovered from the father’s kitchen. One of the children in the community alerted Bala and his brothers, who escaped through the bush,” the source said.
The source further alleged that Bala was not the only family member involved in kidnapping activities, adding that other suspects identified as Ndaji and another brother were being tracked by security agencies.
Speaking to journalists, Muhammadu described himself as a farmer and cattle rearer who had lived in the South-West for more than three decades.
“My name is Muhammadu Abdullai. I am a cattle rearer and farmer. I have lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years. I have four wives and 30 children. I was honoured with the title of Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode by the late Awujale of Ijebuland,” he said.
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“I know nothing about the bag found in my house. I live in the same compound with my wives and children. I have never kidnapped anyone in my life.”
He acknowledged that Bala had previously engaged in kidnapping and served a prison sentence but insisted he had no knowledge of any renewed involvement in criminal activities.
“I knew Bala was involved in kidnapping before he was arrested and imprisoned. When he came out, he was very sick and I took him to the hospital, where he received treatment for one month. I believed he had changed because he had returned to farming and cattle rearing,” he said.
“I did not know he was still involved in kidnapping. I have never encouraged crime and I would never support such activities.”
Also speaking, Bello Muhammadu, the eldest son of the family who was arrested alongside his father, denied any connection to kidnapping activities.
“I was on the farm when the police came. My father called me because he could not understand what the officers were saying. I am a herder and I have nothing to do with kidnapping,” Bello said.
He added that while he was aware of Bala’s previous conviction, he had no knowledge of his current activities.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, attributed the command’s recent successes against kidnappers and other criminal elements to the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the operational leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo.
According to Babaseyi, the successful operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, which led to the arrest of suspects and the recovery of incriminating exhibits, demonstrated the professionalism and dedication of police operatives.
He assured residents that the command would continue to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates operating across Ogun State and urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
The police also reaffirmed their commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State.
