How herbal medicine seller linked to N10m kidnap ring escaped prison

A 33-year-old herbal medicine seller, Adebisi Babatunde, allegedly operated as an intermediary for a kidnapping syndicate in southwestern Nigeria before becoming the central figure in a dramatic prison escape involving a stolen master key.

Babatunde, who was based in Ibadan, Oyo State, reportedly maintained the appearance of an ordinary trader dealing in traditional herbal medicine. Investigators, however, alleged that behind the business was a connection to a criminal network involved in kidnapping and ransom operations.

According to accounts of the case, Babatunde became involved with a group of men who were preparing to carry out major criminal operations and sought supernatural protection to avoid detection or capture.

Rather than directly participating in the preparation of the charms, Babatunde allegedly connected the men with a native doctor who produced the spiritual materials they requested.

With the alleged preparations completed, the gang reportedly targeted a wealthy businessman identified as Mr Bode Debo in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The kidnapping reportedly yielded a N10 million ransom after the victim’s family made payment to secure his release.

Despite the substantial proceeds from the operation, the relationship between members of the gang reportedly deteriorated over the sharing of the ransom.

Babatunde allegedly received only N750,000 from the operation, significantly less than the amount collected by the syndicate. She was reportedly planning to invest the money in establishing a legitimate business when law enforcement began closing in on the group.

Police Crack Down on Syndicate

Detectives from the Ogun State Police Command subsequently traced members of the alleged syndicate.

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While some of the suspected kidnappers reportedly escaped with a large portion of the ransom, Babatunde and the native doctor were arrested.

The arrests exposed Babatunde’s alleged role in connecting the kidnappers with the native doctor and providing support to the group.

She was subsequently remanded at the Oyo Prison as an awaiting-trial inmate.

However, instead of remaining in custody while awaiting the outcome of her case, Babatunde allegedly began plotting an escape with another female inmate.

The plan would eventually expose what investigators considered serious security vulnerabilities within the correctional facility.

According to the account, Babatunde and her accomplice did not attempt to break through prison walls or cut through security bars.

Instead, the women allegedly obtained access to a master key capable of opening the facility’s heavily secured doors.

The development immediately raised questions about how an awaiting-trial inmate could gain possession of a key ordinarily expected to be tightly controlled by correctional authorities.

Investigators reportedly examined the possibility that the key had been deliberately supplied by a prison official who may have been compromised through bribery or other inducements.

Armed with the key, Babatunde and her accomplice allegedly opened the necessary security doors and escaped from the facility during the night.

Their absence was reportedly not discovered until the morning when prison officials conducted their routine checks.

The escape triggered a major security response and raised questions about the integrity of security arrangements at the correctional facility.

Recapture Ends Freedom

Babatunde’s freedom, however, was short-lived.

Following the jailbreak, law enforcement agencies launched a search for the fugitives. Detectives attached to the Ogun State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) eventually tracked Babatunde down and rearrested her.

She was subsequently paraded before journalists by the then Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, with authorities presenting the arrest as a significant breakthrough in efforts to recapture the escaped inmate.

The case consequently took on a new dimension.

Babatunde was no longer facing only allegations arising from her purported connection to the kidnapping syndicate and the N10 million ransom operation. Her alleged escape from custody also exposed her to additional legal consequences relating to the jailbreak.

The incident equally triggered scrutiny of the correctional facility’s internal security procedures, particularly how a master key allegedly came into the possession of an inmate.