Seven suspects are now in the net of the Oyo state police command over the kidnap of the 12-year-old twins of an Ibadan based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold.
Briefing journalists in Ibadan at the Oyo state police command headquarters’, Eleyele, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Shina Olukolu said the suspects were arrested with substantial parts of the ransom collected, while the gun used for the operation, the two operational vehicles, and one motorcycle were also recovered from them.
CP Olukolu stressed that investigations that led to the arrest of the seven suspects including one female identified as ” Rildwan Taiwo, Rafiu Mutiu, Olumide Ajala, Fatai Akanji, Bashiru Mohamme, Opeyemi Oyeleye, and Rafiu Modinat, a female, traversed several states across the country, including Adamawa and Sokoto.
“I wish to inform you that in the sensational case of the kidnapping of the 2-year old twins of Alhaji Taofeek Azeez Akewugbagold on the 25th April, 2020. All the suspects have been arrested with substantial parts of the ransom collected, the gun used for the operation, the two operational vehicles, and one motorcycle were also recovered from them,” he said.
The state police commissioner maintained that the only female member among the gang was detailed to take care of the babies while in captivity and that the suspects were all arrested in their respective hideouts in connection with the crime.
CP Olukolu stressed that on that day, “the notorious criminals attacked Alhaji Akewugbagold’s wife and subsequently abducted his 2-year old twins to an unknown destination”, and that the “criminal assailants later demanded for ransom of N50, 000, 000. 00 before the two abducted babies would be released.”
The commissioner of police listed exhibits recovered from the arrested suspects as one locally made cut to size single barrel gun, eight live cartridges, one Nissan MICRA car with Reg No. JJJ 703 BJ which was used for the criminal activity and another Nissan MICRA car with Reg No. NRK 864 YR partly paid for from part of the ransom, the sum of N2,863,000.00 being part of the ransom, an unregistered TVS motorcycle which was equally used to monitor, execute the operation and buy food for the abducted babies were all recovered from the hoodlums.
