Police in Ogun State say they have traced a recent wave of kidnappings to a Fulani settlement along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road axis, leading to the arrest of 67-year-old Muhammadu Abdullahi, the Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode.
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed the settlement at about 5:00 a.m. on May 15, 2026, following an investigation into the abduction of three residents in Iperin, Atan-Ijebu, on May 11. The victims were reportedly held for days before being released after ransom payments.
According to police sources, intelligence linked the incidents to Bala, Abdullahi’s son, who had just been released from prison after serving five years for kidnapping. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with ten rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, a single-barrel gun, N1.5 million suspected to be ransom proceeds, several mobile phones, and a bag allegedly used to collect ransom from the patriarch’s kitchen.
Abdullahi, who has lived in Yorubaland for over 30 years and was honoured as Seriki Fulani by the late Awujale of Ijebu Ode, denied involvement. He said he took Bala to hospital after his release from prison and believed he had turned to farming and cattle rearing. “I did not know he was still into kidnapping. I am not into kidnapping and I will never encourage it,” he stated.
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His eldest son, Bello, also denied involvement, saying he was on the farm when police arrived and insisted the family does not support crime. Police said Bala and two other suspects, Ndaji and another man, fled into the bush when operatives approached. A manhunt is ongoing for the fleeing suspects.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrest and said sustained efforts are underway to dismantle criminal syndicates in the state. He urged residents to provide timely information through the command’s emergency lines.
The arrest has raised concerns in Ijebu Ode and neighbouring communities over the resurgence of kidnapping in parts of Ogun State.
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