A 42-year-old ex-convict, Azeez Abolaji Alese , has been arrested by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.
The ex-convict, alongside six other suspects, were arrested for various crimes ranging from robbery to stealing and kidnapping.
The Command’s Commissioner, CP Abiodun Alamutu, disclosed this on Friday during a news conference in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Other six suspects, according to the commissioner, are Onokrese Jacob, 34, Henry Gaga Emmanuel, 34, Joseph Udoma, 42, Abiola Oduyemi, 41, Abbey Emmanuel, 34, and Jimoh Kareem, 39.
The police boss said the 7-man gang, led by Azeez Alese, are the perpetrators of the kidnapping cases recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
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He noted that the suspects, after several cases of abduction, were observed to be the same criminal syndicate responsible for terrorizing innocent travelers along Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode axis of the state.
Detailing the series of activities carried out by the gang which led to their arrest, CP Alamutu said, “On the 16 th of May, 2024, at about 20:28hrs, these 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 17 th of May, 2024, at about 20:10hrs 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.
“Similarly, the Command received another information that barely 3 weeks after the first two kidnapping incidents, that the same group led by Azeez Abolaji Alese on the 2 nd of June, 2024, at about 18:00hrs, 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 similar pattern, attacked one Segun Adebanjo on the 14 th of July, 2024, at about 23:00hrs, and drove him away in his red Toyota Camry.
“The final attack happened on the 5 th of September, 2024, at about 19:00hrs where the same gang gained access into the compound of one Uruakpa Elizabeth “F”, 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.”
He continued, “In the course of investigation, one Abiola Oduyemi, was arrested on the 3rd of October, 2024, and he was found in possession of a branded key holder of Babcock university and a shuttle bag belonging to one of the kidnapped victims.
“Meanwhile, the said Abiola Oduyemi has no affiliation with Babcock University, and upon interrogation, 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.
“Based on the information at the disposal of the Police, Azeez Abolaji Alese, was later identified as the gang leader and recruiter, who relies on a talisman, often referred to as a criminal charm, to guide his actions before targeting victims.
“Notably, Alese has orchestrated numerous kidnapping incidents, extorting ransoms before releasing his victims.”
Furthermore, the police boss disclosed, “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 currently facing charges in court.
“He was apprehended again by the Oyo State Police Command on August 28 th , 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 26 th , 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.
“Further profiling of every other arrested suspects, assisted the Police to streamline the individual roles played by the suspects.
“One Joseph Udoma revealed his role in supplying information to the gang; he was previously involved in the kidnapping of a journalist in Ijebu-Ode in 2023 and had sustained bullet injuries during a police rescue operation.
“A Browning pistol was recovered from Henry Gaga Emmanuel, which was used in their kidnapping and robbery endeavors.
“Two notorious kidnappers, known as Salami Rasheed from Saki, Oyo State, and Jimoh Kareem from Kosubosu, Kwara State, are the syndicate’s amourers who specialize in procuring locally made pistols and ammunition to the gang, and they also negotiated the sale of the stolen vehicles to neighboring Niger Republic for eventual sale.
“Abbey Ogunbanwo, who is also a member of the syndicate, was responsible for ensuring the gangs’ needs are met by providing food for the kidnapped victims while being held in their captivity in Ososa forest.”
Items recovered from the suspects include, one browning pistol gun, one Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. KTU 406 JL, One Honda Element Jeep with Reg. No. AYT 88 MS, two school lunch bags, one shuttle bag, one Babcock University Key holder, and criminal charms.