The Ogun State Police Command has arrested the Sarkin Fulani of Ijebu-Ode, 67-year-old Abdullahi Muhammadu, after operatives reportedly recovered a bag allegedly used for ransom collections during an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected kidnappers.
According to security sources, officers attached to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided the community leader’s residence following credible intelligence linking members of his family to a series of abductions across several communities in Ogun State. During the operation, a bag believed to have been used in collecting ransom payments from kidnapping victims was allegedly discovered inside the kitchen of the residence.
Abdullahi Muhammadu and his eldest son, Bello, were arrested during the raid. However, police sources disclosed that the principal suspect, Bala Muhammadu—one of Abdullahi’s sons—and two of his brothers escaped through a nearby bush path after allegedly receiving advance warning of the operation.
Investigators believe a child within the compound alerted the suspects to the approaching police team, enabling them to flee moments before officers arrived.
Responding to the allegations, Abdullahi Muhammadu firmly denied any involvement in kidnapping activities, insisting he had no knowledge of the bag found in his home.
“I don’t know anything about the bag found in my house. I have never kidnapped anybody in my life,” he said.
The cattle rearer and farmer, who stated that he has lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years, revealed that he has 30 children from four wives. He acknowledged that his son, Bala,
had previously been convicted of kidnapping and served a five-year prison sentence before recently regaining his freedom.According to him, Bala appeared weak and unwell after his release from prison, prompting him to sponsor medical treatment and encourage him to abandon criminal activities.
“He was looking very sick and pale. I took him to the hospital and advised him to stay away from crime. I believed he had changed because he returned to farming and cattle rearing,” he explained.
Police investigations have reportedly linked Bala and at least two of his brothers, including one identified as Ndaji, to multiple kidnapping incidents in Ijebu-Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun-Owa and neighbouring communities.
Security sources further claimed that incidents of kidnapping and abduction increased noticeably in the affected areas following Bala’s release from prison.
Bello, who was arrested while returning from his farm, denied any involvement in the alleged criminal activities and maintained that neither he nor his father had any connection to kidnapping operations.
“I am a herder. The only thing I know is that my younger brother, Bala, was imprisoned some years ago,” he said, adding that their father would never support criminal conduct.
Confirming the development, Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated that the arrests were made through intelligence-driven policing. He assured residents that the Command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and tackling kidnapping across the state.
Police authorities have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects as investigations continue.
