Fulani herdsman arrested in Akure following failed attempt to kidnap traditional ruler

MEN of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested one Fulani herdsman who was part of a gang of kidnappers who tried to abduct the traditional ruler Osi  in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state Oba David Olajide.

 

In what is now becoming a growing trend, heavily armed Fulani herdsmen are running riot across Nigeria, kidnapping at will and extracting hefty ransom fees before they release their victims. Of late, they have become even more daring, setting up forest camps across southwest Nigeria, where they execute victims who relatives fail to pay up.

 

According to the police, in this latest incident, the suspected kidnappers attacked and attempted to abduct the monarch on the Akure Airport Road in Osi, the same spot where one Mrs Olawumi Adeleye and her stepson were kidnapped on Sunday. However, the attempt to abduct the monarch was unsuccessful as Oba Olajide managed to escape from the scene unharmed.

 

Oba Olajide explained that Mrs Adeleye and her stepson were released on Tuesday and he took them to the state police headquarters in Akure but on his way back to his community, the hoodlums attacked him but he managed to escape. He added that one of the hoodlums was later arrested and handed over to the police.

 

 “After their release, I took the woman and her stepson to the police headquarters to hand them over to the police. On my way back, the herdsmen blocked the road with their cows, the same way they had kidnapped the woman and the boy.

 

“As I approached the place, I slowed down my car and I saw them coming to attack me but I managed to escape. They hit and damaged my car but through the grace of God, I escaped,” Oba Olajide added.

 

Police spokesman Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect was in custody. He pointed out that they are already making efforts to arrest the fleeing members of the gang and investigation has also commenced into the incident.

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