Community Leader Faces Serious Allegations
A respected Fulani leader in Ogun State has landed in police custody over alleged links to a kidnapping network operating in parts of Ijebu land.
The suspect, 67-year-old Muhammadu Abdullahi, popularly known as the Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, was arrested during a police operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the area.
For more than three decades, Abdullahi built a reputation as a cattle rearer, farmer and community leader. However, investigators now allege that members of his family maintained connections to a criminal syndicate behind several abduction cases.
Police Raid Settlement
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit carried out the operation on May 15, 2026.
The team, led by SP Bamidele Shittu, stormed a Fulani settlement along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road axis following intelligence gathered from ongoing kidnapping investigations.
Authorities linked the operation to the abduction of three residents in the Ipojo Area of Atan-Ijebu on May 11. The victims later regained freedom after ransom payments.
Investigators also traced several kidnapping incidents across Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode and nearby communities to suspected members of the syndicate.
Suspects Escape Through Bush
Police sources disclosed that one of the children in the settlement allegedly spotted the approaching operatives and alerted key suspects.
As a result, Abdullahi’s son, Bala, alongside two brothers, reportedly escaped through surrounding bushes before officers reached the compound.
Authorities described Bala as a former kidnapping convict who recently completed a five-year prison sentence.
Weapons, Cash Recovered
During the raid, police reportedly recovered several items from the family compound.
The exhibits included an AK-47 rifle loaded with ten rounds of ammunition, a single-barrel gun, multiple mobile phones and N1.5 million suspected to be ransom proceeds.
Investigators also recovered a bag believed to have been used during ransom collection.
According to police findings, officers discovered the bag inside the kitchen of the family patriarch.
Father Denies Involvement
Speaking after his arrest, Abdullahi denied any involvement in kidnapping activities.
The community leader maintained that he had never participated in any criminal operation throughout his life.
“I have lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years and served my community. I know Bala was once imprisoned for kidnapping, but I believed he had changed after his release,” he said.
He explained that he supported his son during illness after prison and encouraged him to embrace farming and cattle rearing.
Abdullahi insisted he knew nothing about the recovered items or any alleged criminal activities involving his children.
Son Rejects Allegations
Bello, Abdullahi’s eldest son, also denied involvement in kidnapping.
He claimed he was working on the farm when police officers arrived at the settlement.
According to him, he only returned after receiving a call from his father.
“I am a herder and know nothing about kidnapping. My younger brother was jailed before, but I do not know what he has been doing since his release,” Bello stated.
Police Intensify Manhunt
Police sources said investigations revealed a noticeable increase in kidnapping cases after Bala regained freedom from prison.
Authorities believe additional suspects remain at large and have intensified efforts to apprehend them.
A senior police source disclosed that detectives are tracking other members of the alleged network.
Command Commends Operatives
The Ogun State Police Command praised officers involved in the operation.
Police spokesperson CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the arrest demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and tactical operations.
He also commended Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni for supporting anti-kidnapping efforts across the state.
According to the command, security agencies remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and improving public safety.
Police further urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist ongoing investigations.
