Metro

Kidnappings In Ogun: Bag Used To Deliver Ransom Found In Seriki Fulani’s Kitchen

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

…suspect says ‘I knew my son was a kidnapper, but I thought he had stopped’

Abdullai Muhammadu, the 67-year-old Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, who was arrested alongside his eldest child by the police in Ogun State for recent kidnappings around communities in the Ijebu area, has pleaded innocence, but one of the bags with which ransom was delivered was recovered in his kitchen.

He, however, admitted that he was aware that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, is into kidnapping, but that he felt that he had turned a new leaf.

He also insisted that he had no hand in his son’s criminal activities, though they both stay in the same compound.

The Fulani leader also admitted to having taken the wanted suspected kidnapper to the hospital for medical treatment for a month after being released from the correctional centre, where he served a five-year jail term for kidnapping.

The wanted Bala and his two other brothers were reportedly hinted of the presence of security operatives around their family compound and they allegedly quickly escaped through the bush.

It was gathered that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by the officer in charge, SP Bamidele Shirtu, while investigating the various incidents of kidnapping around Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and others, linked them all to Bala, who was just released from prison for the same kidnapping offence.

A police source said: “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. 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.”

Muhammadu Abdullai told newsmen that: “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. 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.”

The Seriki Fulani however admitted that he was aware that one of his sons, Bala, was into kidnapping.

He said: “I know that Bala was into kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison. 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.

“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.”

An elder brother to the wanted brothers, Bello, who was also arrested by the police, said: “I am Bello Muhammadu. I am the eldest child of my father. 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.

“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.”

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, while speaking on the arrest of the suspects, noted that the police’s successful operation on kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state was as a result of the support from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

Babaseyi said: “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.

“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.

“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.

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

The command assured residents that sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating within the state and its environs while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
(TRIBUNE)

Related Topics:#Kidnappers Kidnap Kidnapping in Ogun Ogun

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Metro

Two Suspects Arrested With Illicit Drugs In Edo

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Network (ESSN) has arrested two suspects with a large quantity of Illicit drugs at different locations in Benin.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the
Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Festus Ebea.

Ebea, who named the suspects as Efosa Uyi and Stella Thompson, noted the state government is committed to ensuring the state is free from illicit drugs.

According to him, drugs recovered included, Indian hemp, crystal methamphetamine (Ice), Colorado (Colos), Canadian Loud, and Scottish Loud, which were seized in large quantities.

Ebea warned drug addicts and those selling Illicit drugs to stay off Edo State, stressing that it’s not a safe haven for their operations.

He disclosed that the suspects will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further prosecution. He noted that the prosecution will be followed strictly to ensure justice is served.

“We have arrested two suspects at different points in Benin and primarily will hand them over to NDLEA. We are working very hard to assist the drug agency to get rid of those engaged in drug activities in the state.

“We are not relenting in combing the State and getting drug addicts, and those trading in illicit drugs off the State.

“These two suspects were arrested on Friday 29th May 2026 with a large quantity of Illicit drugs.We are using this medium to warn those selling and dealing in illicit drugs to stop as the State will not be safe for them”.

He called on the youths to stay off drugs as it’s not beneficial to users as they remain useless and end up bad in society.

“We equally call on the youths to stay off drugs as it has no positive impact on their lives but rather end up being useless to the society.

“To save our youth from these illicit drugs, we have to arrest those selling and distributing these drugs in society. Hence, these ones have been arrested and brought before the media.”

Ebea urged journalists to follow up the story and ensure justice is served to serve as a deterrent to other youths.

“Our youths should stay off drugs as it has no benefits to any users, you can’t think of. It will make you end up useless and degraded in society, encourage the youths to stay off drugs, and be safe.

“No criminal arrests that are not connected to drugs. They use drugs to carry out their nefarious activities in the state,” he said.

Metro

My Wife Charges Me Money Per Round Of S3x, Man Tells Court

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Editor

A 39-year-old man from Barlastone brought the Matero Local Court, Zambia gallery to laughter after he revealed that he married a Lusaka seller who charged him K50 per round during their matrimonial games.

Aubrey told the court that the behaviour of his wife, Stella Tembo, a 25-year-old Easterner was undiplomatic due to her unacceptable demands and conditions every time he wanted to be intimate with her.

According to Zambia Observer, he said the two got married in 2009 and that his wife had continually made his life miserable for the past 17 years that he got to a point that he resorted to never have s3x her again.

He lamented that when he finally gave up on paying for what rightfully and lawfully belonged to him, Stella started covering her entire body with clothes while in bed.

“I have never had peace. Despite paying lobola, I was still paying to have sex with her.

“I also found out that she was using charms on me, such that I could not say no to her even though I was paying,” he said.

In her defense, Stella swore that she had been a good wife to Aubrey and that he was free to express his desires on her in whatever style he wished.

She said she only started charging him after he married another woman elsewhere and rented a house for her.

“He even moved out of our home, saying he had gone to the mountain to pray.

“For five months, my husband was nowhere to be found.

“I later discovered that he had married elsewhere and was renting another house,” she said.

The wife also accused her husband of using charms on her, which left her like the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible, who was isolated from the society for 12 years.

“He cut a piece from my green chitenge and took it to a witchdoctor, and I have never stopped bleeding since then,” she alleged.

The magistrate, Harriet Mulenga granted the couple divorce and ordered the husband to pay the wife K17,000 for adultery.

Mulenga also ordered Aubrey to pay K1,000 monthly child maintenance, while household goods were to be shared equally between the two parties.

Metro

I Signed Papers Divorcing My Wife Under Duress, I Want Her Back —Man

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Editor

…you came back too late —Woman

A 40-year-old businessman, Auwal Musa, has prayed a Sharia court sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, to order his ex-wife, Hauwa, to return to their matrimonial home.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Auwal, in his petition, said that his ex-wife forced him to divorce her after a year of getting married to her.

“I signed the divorce papers under duress. I gave one pronouncement of divorce to her and later went to their house to cancel the divorce before she finished the Iddah, but she refused to come back.

“She had left with my plasma TV, gas cylinder, electric kettle, two caps and documents belonging to my father. I want them back,” he said.

In her defense, Hauwa said he came back too late.

She explained that she had already finished her waiting period (Iddah) before Musa asked her to come back.

“I only took his plasma TV and gas cylinder. I am keeping the items pending when he pays me the N31,500 he owes me.

“He gave me the electric kettle as a gift while we were courting.

“I have no idea where his caps and father’s documents are,” she said.

The judge, Malam Murtala Nasir, advised Musa to go home and search for the documents.

He then adjourned the case.