Ogun: Seriki Fulani, son in Police custody over alleged kidnapping links

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested 67-year-old Abdullahi Muhammadu, the Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, along with his eldest son, Bello Muhammadu, during a major operation linked to ongoing investigations into a series of abduction cases.

The arrests followed the recovery of a bag allegedly used in the collection of ransom payments from one of the kidnapping victims.

Investigators reportedly found the bag in the kitchen of the community leader’s residence, a discovery that has become a key element in the police investigation.

According to security sources, the operation forms part of a broader crackdown on criminal groups suspected of masterminding several kidnappings across Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa, and neighbouring communities.

Investigators reportedly traced several incidents to Bala Muhammadu, one of Abdullahi’s sons, who had previously served a five-year prison sentence for kidnapping-related offences.

Police sources disclosed that Bala and two of his brothers escaped shortly before operatives arrived at the family compound. Authorities believe the suspects may have received advance warning of the operation and fled through nearby bush paths before security personnel reached the location.

A source involved in the investigation said significant progress was made after intelligence operatives successfully traced one of the ransom bags used during negotiations with victims’ families.

“After painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation, one of the bags used in the payment of ransom for one of the victims was recovered from the father’s kitchen,” the source said.

READ ALSO: Banditry, insurgency, kidnapping push Nigeria to 12,954 deaths in 2025 – Report

“It is not only Bala who is involved. There is also Ndaji and another suspect we are currently tracking. There was an upsurge in kidnapping activities after Bala regained his freedom. He spent five years in prison for kidnapping,” the source added.

Despite the allegations, Abdullahi Muhammadu has denied any involvement in kidnapping or other criminal activities.

Speaking after his arrest, the traditional Fulani leader described himself as a cattle rearer and farmer who has lived peacefully in the South-West region for more than three decades.

“My name is Muhammadu Abdullahi. I am a cattle rearer and also a farmer. I have been in Yorubaland for more than thirty years,” he said.

He insisted that he had no knowledge of the bag allegedly recovered from his residence.

“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,” he stated.

However, Abdullahi admitted that he was aware of his son Bala’s previous conviction and imprisonment for kidnapping.

“I know that Bala was involved in kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison,” he acknowledged.

According to him, he believed his son had abandoned criminal activities after serving his sentence and returning home.

Bello Muhammadu, who was arrested alongside his father, equally denied any involvement in kidnapping activities.