For years, 67-year-old Muhammadu Abdullahi carried himself as a respected patriarch in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Known among both indigenes and settlers as the Seriki Fulani of the area, he was regarded as a bridge between cultures: a cattle rearer, farmer and community leader who had spent over three decades building a life in Ogun State.

With four wives, 30 children and scores of dependants looking up to him, Abdullahi thought he had seen enough of the hardship life could offer.

Police raid

But around 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2026, the walls of his large family compound came crashing down. The Fulani settlement on the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road axis was quiet at that hour, but the men moving through the darkness that day were not farmers. They were operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by the officer in charge, SP Bamidele Shittu, who stormed the Fulani settlement.

The operation, as gathered, followed days of intelligence gathering after the abduction of three residents at Ipojo Area, Iperin, Atan-Ijebu, on May 11, 2026. The victims were reportedly held for days before regaining their freedom after ransom payments were made.

According to police sources, investigations into various incidents of kidnapping around Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and other communities were allegedly linked to one Bala who had just been released from prison for the same offence.

Police sources also disclosed that shortly before operatives entered the settlement, one of the children in the community who spotted them approaching quietly alerted Bala and two of his brothers. Within moments, they reportedly disappeared into the surrounding bush.

Arrest and recovery

Today, the elderly Fulani leader is in police custody, accused of links to a kidnapping syndicate allegedly coordinated by two of his sons.

Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that Bala, a former convict, had recently regained his freedom after serving a five-year jail term for kidnapping.

Police said one of the bags reportedly used in delivering ransom money was allegedly recovered inside the kitchen of the family patriarch, along with an AK-47 rifle loaded with ten rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, one single-barrel gun, the sum of N1.5 million suspected to be ransom proceeds, several mobile phones and a black bag.

The arrest has since sent shockwaves through Ijebu Ode and neighbouring communities, not only because of the gravity of the allegations, but because it raises troubling questions about the frightening resurgence of kidnapping in parts of Ogun State.

Father speaks

Looking like a man crushed beneath the weight of shame, confusion and fatherhood, the Seriki Fulani’s voice trembled intermittently as he tried to explain how the family had arrived at this painful crossroads.

He said: “I am a cattle rearer and farmer. I have lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years. I was honoured with the title of Seriki 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.

“I know that Bala was into kidnapping before. He was arrested and sent to prison for kidnapping. When he returned from prison, he looked very sick and pale. I did not want him to die. I wanted the best for him and my other children. I took him to the hospital for treatment, where he spent one month receiving care. I encouraged him to stay away from crime.

“I thought he had turned a new leaf because he is now into farming and cattle rearing. I did not know he was still into kidnapping. I don’t know if any of my other sons are into kidnapping. I am not into kidnapping and I will never encourage it,” he stated.

I am not a kidnapper — fleeing suspect’s brother

Bello, the eldest son of Abdullahi, who was arrested alongside his father, insisted he was not involved in kidnapping. He explained: “I was not at home when the policemen came. I was on the farm when my father called me. He said 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 do not know anything about what he or any of my brothers are doing. If my father had known that Bala had returned to crime, he would have killed him himself. He does not encourage anything like that.”

Police action

Police sources confirmed there had been an upsurge in kidnapping in the area after Bala was released from prison. A police source said: “After painstaking and intelligence-led investigation, one of the bags used in the payment of ransom for one of the victims was recovered in the father’s kitchen. One of the children who saw us coming into the community alerted Bala and his brothers, and they escaped through the bush.

“It is not only Bala who is involved. There is also Ndaji and another suspect, and we are on their trail. There was an upsurge in kidnapping activities in the area after Bala was released from prison, where he had spent five years for kidnapping.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who confirmed the arrest, said: “The Ogun State Police Command commends the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji 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 and arrest of notorious suspects and the 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.

“Sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating within Ogun State and its environs. Members of the public are urged to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines : Gateway Shield (Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency Lines: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, 0708 497 2994.” (Saturday Vanguard)

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