The Ogun State command of the Nigeria Police Force has apprehended a 42-year-old former convict, Abolaji Alese, along with six accomplices, on charges of armed robbery.
The suspects were also accused of being responsible for the abduction of travellers along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode route in the state.
Other suspects include Onokrese Jacob, aged 34; Henry Emmanuel, aged 34; Joseph Udomah, aged 42; Abiola Oduyemi, aged 41; Abbey Emmanuel, aged 34; and Jimoh Kareem, aged 39.
During a press conference held on Friday at the command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, revealed that the group was implicated in the kidnapping of seven individuals between May and September 2024.
Alamutu noted that Alese, identified as the gang’s leader, had previously been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command on August 28, 2022, for the kidnapping of two women in Ibadan and is currently facing charges in the High Court in Ibadan.
He further explained that a thorough investigation into the ongoing reports of kidnappings led to the arrest of one of the suspects, Abiola Oduyemi, in Egbeda, Ibadan, Oyo State, which subsequently resulted in the capture of the other suspects.
Alamutu said: “On the 16th of May, 2024, at about 8:28 am, this vicious syndicate led by one Azeez Abolaji Alese attacked a woman named Busari Abiola while trying to drive into her premises by her gate in Sagamu, Ogun State. She was subsequently kidnapped and driven away in her unregistered 2009 Ash-colored Corolla. Fortunately, the kidnappers later released her, taking only the vehicle.
” This same Azeez Abolaji Alese, with six other armed men, double-crossed one Adebayo Olabisi, on the 17th of May, 2024, at about 8:10 pm in the Irewon area of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, and whisked her away in her white Highlander Jeep, with registration number BDG 125 HZ, to an unknown destination.
“Barely three weeks after the first two kidnapping incidents, the same group led by Azeez Abolaji Alese on the 2nd of June, 2024, at about 6 pm, abducted one Omosehin Tanwa from Itamogiri, Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State, taking her to an unknown destination.
“While the Anti-kidnapping team were on their trail, Azeez Abolaji Alese and his kidnapping gang, in a similar pattern, attacked one Segun Adebanjo on the 14th of July, 2024, at about 11 pm and drove him away in his red Toyota Camry.
“The final attack happened on the 5th of September, 2024, at about 7 pm where the same gang gained access into the compound of one Uruakpa Elizabeth, a nurse from Babcock University, after close of work at her gate, pointed a gun at her and took her away in her unregistered red Toyota Camry.
“In the course of the investigation, one Abiola Oduyemi was arrested on the 3rd of October, 2024, and he confessed to his involvement in the series of kidnapping cases recorded in the state and provided valuable information that resulted in the arrest of his other accomplices.
“It should be noted that the said Azeez Alese was earlier arrested on January 14, 2016, for kidnapping an expatriate along Sagamu-Ogijo Road and is currently facing charges in court. He was apprehended again by the Oyo State Police Command on August 28th, 2022, for kidnapping two women in Ibadan and currently has an ongoing charge at the High Court, Ibadan.
“Alese was released on bail on April 26th, 2024, but instead of changing his ways, he formed a new gang and resumed kidnapping operations starting from May 16th, 2024, until his eventual arrest by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Ogun State Command.”
Recovered items from the suspects consist of a Browning pistol, a helmet jeep with the registration AYT88MS, a Toyota Camry registered as KTU406JL, two school bags, two lunch boxes, one shuttle bag, a key holder from Babcock University, and various criminal charms.
Alamutu stated that the investigation has been completed, and the suspect will soon be prosecuted in court.
He urged the public to plan their journeys meticulously and to remain vigilant while travelling.