On Friday, the Ogun State Police Command declared that a seven-member gang had been arrested for allegedly intimidating drivers on the Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode motorway.

Between May and September of 2024, the gang is suspected of carrying out many kidnappings.

The gang boss, Azeez Abolaji Alese, Onokrese Jacob, Henry Gaga Emmanuel, Joseph Udomah, Abiola Oduyemi, Abbey Emmanuel, and Jimoh Kareem are among the suspects presented.

The anti-kidnapping unit received a tip on October 3 that led to the arrest of Oduyemi in Egbeda, Ibadan, and the subsequent capture of other gang members. Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alamutu revealed this information during a press briefing in Abeokuta.

“This vicious syndicate led by Azeez Abolaji Alese attacked a woman named Busari Abiola on May 16, 2024, at approximately 20:28 hours, as she attempted to drive into her premises in Sagamu,” Alamutu said. She drove off in her unregistered 2009 ash-colored Corolla after being abducted. She was later freed by the abductors, who just took the car.

Adebayo Olabisi was also allegedly kidnapped by the gang on May 17 at Irewon, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, and taken away in her white Highlander Jeep, registered BDG 125 HZ. They allegedly abducted Segun Adebanjo on July 14 after kidnapping Omosehin Tanwa at Itamogiri, Ijebu Mushin, on June 2.

On September 5, the gang allegedly abducted Uruakpa Elizabeth, a nurse at Babcock University, at gunpoint when she returned from work. This was the last known kidnapping. According to Alamutu, Oduyemi was discovered in possession of Elizabeth’s belongings during the inquiry, including a shuttle bag and a branded key holder from Babcock University.

The CP claims that Alese had planned other kidnappings and demanded ransoms before freeing his victims.

The case against Alese, a repeat offender, is still continuing. Alese was initially detained in January 2016 for kidnapping an expatriate along the Sagamu-Ogijo route. In August 2022, he was also taken into custody by Oyo State Police for abduction in Ibadan; the matter is now pending in the local High Court. He allegedly re-formed a group and resumed his criminal operations after being freed on bail in April 2024, starting with an abduction on May 16.

Additional research also identified the precise responsibilities that other gang members played. One suspect, Udoma, reportedly supplied information about possible victims and was previously implicated in the 2023 kidnapping of a journalist in Ijebu-Ode who was shot during a police rescue attempt.

A Browning weapon that was purportedly used in many kidnappings and robberies by the gang was allegedly found in Emmanuel’s possession. According to reports, the group’s armourers, Jimoh Kareem and Rasheed Salami, were in charge of smuggling in firearms and ammunition and coordinating the sale of stolen cars to the Niger Republic. Another gang member, Ogunbanwo, was in charge of supplying food for abducted people who were being held captive in Ososa Forest.

A Browning weapon, a Helmet Jeep with registration number AYT 88 MS, a Toyota Camry with registration number KTU 406 JL, school bags, lunch bags, and a Babcock University key holder were among the exhibits found during the investigation.