Police Arrest Seriki Fulani Over Ijebu Kidnappings as Ransom Bag Is Allegedly Recovered in His Home in Ijebu Ode

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested the Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, 67-year-old Muhammadu Abdullai, alongside his eldest son, in connection with ongoing investigations into a series of kidnapping incidents across communities in the Ijebu area.

According to police sources, a major breakthrough in the investigation came after officers allegedly recovered one of the bags used to deliver ransom payments to kidnappers from the suspect’s kitchen during a raid on his residence.

Despite the discovery, Abdullai has maintained his innocence, insisting that he has never been involved in kidnapping or any other criminal activity.

Speaking to journalists, the Fulani leader acknowledged that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had previously been convicted and imprisoned for kidnapping. He, however, claimed that he believed his son had abandoned criminal activities after serving a five-year prison sentence.

“I know Bala had issues in the past, but I thought he had changed after leaving prison,” Abdullai said.

The Seriki Fulani also admitted that he personally took Bala to a hospital for medical treatment for about a month after his release from a correctional facility.

Police sources disclosed that Bala Muhammadu and two of his brothers reportedly escaped through a nearby bush after receiving information about the presence of security operatives around their family compound.

“Following painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation, one of the bags used in the payment of ransom to kidnappers was recovered in the father’s kitchen,” a police source revealed.

“The moment security personnel arrived in the community, one of the children alerted Bala and his brothers, enabling them to flee. Bala is not the only one involved. Ndaji and another brother are also being investigated, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.”

The source further alleged that kidnapping activities in parts of the Ijebu area increased shortly after Bala completed his prison sentence and returned to the community.

Defending himself, Abdullai said he has lived in Yorubaland for over three decades as a cattle rearer and farmer and was honoured with the title of Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode by the late Awujale of Ijebu Ode.

“My name is Muhammadu Abdullai. I am a cattle rearer and a farmer. I have lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years. I have four wives and 30 children,” he said.

“I do not know anything about the bag allegedly found in my house. I live in the same compound with my wives and children. I have never kidnapped anyone in my life.”

The police have intensified efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects as investigations into the kidnapping cases continue.