“I Thought He Had Quit Kidnapping” -Father of Arrested Seriki Fulani in Ijebu-Ode Breaks Silence
The father of Abdulazeez Oladimeji, popularly known as the Seriki Fulani of Ijebu-Ode, has spoken out following his son’s arrest by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command over alleged involvement in kidnapping activities.
Speaking after the arrest, the elderly man admitted that he had previously known about his son’s involvement in kidnapping but believed he had abandoned the criminal lifestyle.
According to him, Abdulazeez had assured family members that he had turned over a new leaf, making the recent allegations and arrest a shocking development for the family.
Global Mirror News gathered that the suspect was apprehended during a coordinated operation by the Ogun State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit following intelligence linking him to a series of abductions within the Ijebu-Ode area and other parts of Ogun State.
Police investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect was connected to a kidnapping syndicate that had been terrorising residents and travellers in the region. During the operation, security operatives engaged members of the gang in a gun duel, resulting in the death of two suspected kidnappers, while a kidnapped victim was rescued unharmed.
The arrest has generated widespread reactions across Ogun State, particularly within the Ijebu-Ode community, where Abdulazeez was known as a traditional Fulani leader. Residents expressed disbelief over the allegations, while others commended the police for intensifying efforts against criminal elements operating in the state.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes, urging members of the public to continue providing useful information that could assist security agencies in tracking down criminal suspects.
Authorities disclosed that investigations are ongoing and that other members of the syndicate still at large are being tracked for possible arrest and prosecution.
The case highlights the growing challenge of kidnapping across parts of Nigeria and the increasing efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal networks responsible for the crime.
