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OGUN KIDNAP CRACKDOWN: Seriki Fulani held as police recover ransom bag, sons flee

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The Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Abdullai Muhammadu, has been arrested by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command over alleged links to a kidnapping syndicate terrorising communities in Ijebuland, with detectives reportedly recovering a bag used for ransom payment from his kitchen.

Muhammadu, 67, who was arrested alongside his eldest son, Bello, however, denied involvement in kidnapping, insisting that although he knew one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had previously engaged in the crime, he believed the suspect had abandoned criminality after serving a prison sentence.

It was gathered that the arrest followed weeks of intelligence-led investigations by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command into repeated abductions in Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and neighbouring communities.

Investigators reportedly traced the incidents to Bala, a suspected kidnap kingpin who had recently regained freedom after serving a five-year jail term for kidnapping.

Police sources disclosed that operatives, led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, SP Bamidele Shirtu, stormed the family compound following credible intelligence but discovered that Bala and two of his brothers had fled moments before their arrival.

A police source informed that one of the bags allegedly used to deliver ransom to kidnappers was recovered in the suspect’s residence.

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

“One of the children in the compound saw operatives entering the community and alerted Bala and his brothers. They escaped through the bush before security operatives got there.

“It is not only Bala involved in kidnapping. There is also Ndaji and another brother, and we are on their trail. There was an upsurge in kidnapping around the area after Bala regained freedom from prison, where he spent five years for the same offence.”

Speaking after his arrest, Muhammadu maintained his innocence, stressing that he had lived peacefully in Yorubaland for over three decades.

“My name is Muhammadu Abdulai. 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 in Ijebu Ode by the immediate past Awujale,” he said.

The traditional Fulani leader denied knowledge of the recovered ransom bag.

“I don’t know anything about the bag found in my house. I live in the same compound with my wives and children. I have never kidnapped anybody in my life,” he stated.

Muhammadu, however, admitted that Bala had a history of kidnapping.

“I know Bala was into kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison. After he returned, I took him to the hospital because he was very sick and spent one month receiving treatment.

“I thought he had changed because he returned to farming and cattle rearing. I didn’t know he had gone back to kidnapping. I am not involved in kidnapping and will never encourage it,” he added.

Also speaking, Bello Muhammadu, the eldest son arrested alongside his father, denied involvement in criminal activities, saying he was on the farm when policemen stormed their residence.

He said, “I am not into kidnapping. I only know Bala had been arrested and imprisoned some years ago. I don’t know anything about what he or my brothers are doing.

“If my father knew Bala had returned to crime, he would not support him.”

Confirming the operation, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the success recorded against kidnappers and other violent criminals in the state was made possible through the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the operational leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni.

Babaseyi said the operation, which led to the arrest of suspects and recovery of incriminating exhibits, reflected the professionalism, bravery and intelligence-driven approach of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

He assured residents that sustained efforts were ongoing to dismantle criminal syndicates operating within Ogun and neighbouring states while urging members of the public to support security agencies with credible information.

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Butcher Allegedly Hacks 25-Year-Old Wife to Death in Ekiti

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A 25-year-old woman has allegedly been hacked to death by her husband, a butcher, during a domestic dispute in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday when the couple went to the residence of a friend of the deceased’s father, who had offered to mediate in their unresolved marital dispute.

According to sources, the situation, which was initially intended to settle the couple’s differences, turned violent after an argument reportedly broke out between the husband and his wife.

The butcher was alleged to have attacked his wife repeatedly with a machete, leaving her with severe injuries.

She reportedly died from the injuries sustained during the attack.

The suspect was said to have fled the scene immediately after the incident, while the victim’s remains were reportedly taken away.

Speaking on the incident, a cousin of the deceased, identified as Yusuf, alleged that the woman had been planning to leave the marriage after becoming suspicious that some of her clothes and underwear were disappearing from the house.

Yusuf said the deceased had planned to travel to her sister’s residence on Thursday, September 10, as part of her plan to leave the marriage, but told her husband that she was going to her sister’s place for work.

He alleged that while she was preparing to leave Ado-Ekiti, the wife of her father’s friend invited her to the residence, informing her that her husband wanted to see her.

According to him, the woman went to the residence on Wednesday morning, unaware that her husband would also be there.

Yusuf said an attempt to resolve the couple’s differences subsequently degenerated into a physical confrontation, during which the suspect allegedly attacked the deceased with a machete.

He added that some people had been taken into police custody in connection with the incident, while the whereabouts of the suspect remained unknown.

Yusuf also alleged that the suspect fled with the deceased’s mobile phone, which the family believed could contain information that might assist the police in their investigation.

“We want him to be found and arrested. We want justice for our daughter. Her parents are in pain, and my family is in serious agony. She didn’t deserve this,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ekiti State Police Command had yet to confirm the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and the whereabouts of the suspect could not be independently verified.

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Oyo: Oseni Sympathises With Oranyan Traders Over Market Fire‎

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‎The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni has commiserated with traders and business owners affected by the fire that gutted parts of the popular Oranyan Market in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

‎The fire, which occurred on Sunday night, reportedly destroyed several shops and goods, leaving affected traders to count losses running into millions of naira.

‎Among the businesses affected were jewellery shops, furniture outlets, second-hand clothing stores and other shops within the market.

‎Oseni, who is currently representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, in a statement by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele and made available to journalists in Ibadan, described the incident as “unfortunate and painful”, noting that the victims had suffered a major setback to their businesses and livelihoods.

He said the losses were particularly devastating because many of the affected traders had invested their hard-earned resources in their businesses and depended on them to provide for their families.

‎“I deeply sympathise with the traders and business owners who lost their shops, goods and other valuable properties in this unfortunate incident. Losing the fruits of years of hard work to fire is a painful experience,” Oseni said.

‎The APC chieftain urged the affected traders not to lose hope, saying efforts should be made by relevant authorities and well-meaning individuals to support them and help them recover from the disaster.

‎He called on the relevant government agencies to assess the extent of the damage and consider appropriate measures to assist the victims, stressing that “the affected traders should not be left to bear the burden of the disaster alone.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) further urged market leaders and relevant authorities to strengthen fire prevention and emergency response measures, including the provision of functional firefighting equipment and ensuring easy access for emergency responders.

He said the incident should serve as a reminder that “more attention must be given to fire prevention and safety measures in our markets to prevent avoidable loss of lives and property.”

‎The lawmaker prayed for strength and comfort for the affected traders and their families, urging them to remain united and hopeful as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their businesses.

‎He added that the losses suffered by the traders were “not merely about goods and shops, but about livelihoods built through years of sacrifice and hard work,” assuring them of his sympathy at the difficult moment.

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Two die as speeding truck, bus collide on Sagamu-Ore Expressway

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Two persons lost their lives while two others escaped unhurt in a road crash involving a truck and a commercial bus at Ogbere Junction along the Ogbere/J4 corridor of the Sagamu/Ore Expressway in Ogun State on Thursday.

The Federal Road Safety Corps said the accident occurred around 5:10 a.m.

The Ogun State Sector Command Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Odunsi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the crash involved a white Mack truck with registration number ABC 660 XC and an orange Peugeot J5 bus with an unknown registration number.

Odunsi said four adult male occupants were involved in the accident, adding that two of them died while the other two escaped without injuries.

He attributed the crash to route violation and excessive speeding.

According to him, the impact of the collision caused the Peugeot J5 bus to burst into flames, leaving its front section completely burnt.

He added that FRSC rescue operatives arrived at the scene within two minutes of receiving the distress call and immediately began rescue and traffic management operations to prevent further accidents.

“Officials diverted traffic to an alternative carriageway to minimise congestion while efforts were made to clear the wreckage from the road,” Odunsi said.

He added that officers of the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division, Ogbere Division, evacuated the bodies of the deceased and deposited them at a nearby mortuary.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, sympathised with the bereaved families and urged motorists to obey traffic rules to avoid needless loss of lives.

He warned drivers against speeding and route violations, especially during periods of poor visibility and on wet roads, stressing that reckless driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal road crashes across the country.

The FRSC also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safer highways through sustained enforcement of traffic laws, public enlightenment campaigns and prompt emergency response to road crashes.

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