From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Seventeen suspected kidnappers that have been terrorising different parts of Oyo State, especially Ogbomoso, have been arrested by the police in conjunction with other security agencies in the state.
Some of the suspects were nabbed in connection with the recent kidnapping of a farm manager to a former governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala and a medical doctor, Dr. Abdulrasheed Oladoye, both in Ogbomoso.
On July 16th, Christopher Bakare was abducted by suspected gunmen at Jabata village, while on 22nd of the same month, Dr. Abdulrasheed Oladoye was kidnapped by another set of gunmen. Relatives of the two victims payed ransom that worth millions of naira before they were released. Also, two persons were abducted again in the same town on Thursday, this week, and their whereabouts remained unknown as of the time of filing this report.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Williams, attributed the feat to collaboration among security agencies in the state.
His words: “Recall that one Taiwo Christopher Bakare ‘m’, Farm Supervisor of TDB Farm Limited, and Dr Abdulrasheed Oladoye ‘m’ both of Jabata and Gbede communities under Surulere Local Government Area of the state were abducted on the 16th and 22nd of July, 2022.
“In furtherance to the above, the following eight suspects were arrested in connection with both abductions: Anjola Abubakar, 25; Sani Abacha Abdullahi, 28; Sani Abacha Jafaru, 26; Sale Mohammadu, 25; Isah Seriki Muhammed, 25; Aliu Jafaru, 50;
Umar Abubakar, 34; and Mustapha Baruguma, 20.
“While in another development, operatives of the command attached to Iganna Divisional Police Headquarters have arrested a kidnapping syndicate, responsible for abductions around Iganna, Iwere-Ile and Ijio axis under Iwajowa Local Government Area.
“They include Umar Jale Usman, 56; Abdullahi Mohammed Sani, 42; Jamiu Jubril, 45; Kayode Kolade, 35; Leggi Usman, 28; Jamiu Iroko, 30; Sule Bello, 20; Umar Shuaibu, 20; and Kali Weti, 29.”
The police boss, who spoke through the image maker for fbe command, Adewale Osifeso, said exhibits recovered from the suspects include:one dane gun, one expended cartridge, black detachable head hood, one pair of slippers, a sum of N12,000.
“All suspects have confessed their various involvements in the commission of the crime and are presently helping the police with the ongoing investigations.”