Police in Ekiti State have arrested one Bummi Ogunremi, Ige Adu, a vulcanizer; and a food vendor, Taiwo Fayoke, for the kidnapping of a petrol dealer, Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami, and others.
The criminal gang also confessed to have been responsible for other kidnapping cases in the state including that of the wife of the former Surveyor General of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilola Osalusi; one Olowo Bolaji, and Abiodun Ajayi, who later died as a result of injuries sustained while jumping out of their car.
Akinbami and Osalusi were both kidnapped along Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti.
The police have announced a N5million bounty for information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the gang who are on the run.
While parading the suspects yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ekiti, Sunday Abutu, said the suspects were nabbed on November 6 at about 4pm by operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), after a thorough investigation and tips.
Abutu said, “They also mentioned Samuel Ebira, Jimoh Dele known as Dele Petim, Dayo Igwe and Johnson Okada, who are presently at large, as other members of their gang. Concerted efforts led to the arrest of one Taiwo Fayoke, who confessed to being their food supplier whenever victims are held hostage.”
Ogunremi said the gang had carried out four operations in Ekiti and spread its tentacles to the neighbouring states of Osun, Kogi and Ondo.
Items covered from them include five locally made barrel guns, one Toyota Corolla car, 13 rounds of live cartridges and two locally-made double-barrel guns.
