Abashe Adamu Idris, a notorious Fulani herdsman who is known for kidnapping and killing his victims after demanding ransom, has been arrested by the police in Ekiti State.
Mr. Idris was allegedly arrested alongside his criminal accomplice, one Ibrahim Mumini Toyin by members of the Rapid Response Squad in Ido-Ekiti, Ido-Osi LGA, Ekiti State.
The arrest of the two (2) notorious kidnappers was confirmed in a statement by Sunday Abutu, the state’s police spokesperson on Sunday.
In the statement, DSP Abutu revealed that a local vigilante group working with the police, took action based on information that resulted in the arrest of the criminals.
He claimed that the two suspects were involved in many “high-profile” kidnapping cases in Ekiti State.
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“The duo coordinated numerous high profile kidnappings in Ekiti including the kidnapping of one Adeeko Ademola and Nasiru Salisu at Adamsy Sawmill, Aisegba-Ekiti,” Mr Abutu revealed.
According to the police spokesperson, the offenders admitted to the offenses during questioning.
DSP Abutu went on to say that the kingpin, Mr. Idris, had been expanding his herd by purchasing cattle using ransom money obtained from the families of his victims.
“During interrogation, Ibrahim Mumini Toyin confessed to the commission of the crime and claimed that the dastardly act of kidnapping and murder of one of the two victims was carried out by himself and four others who are children of Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris and are currently at large.
“He further confessed that Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris is their kingpin, adding that the ransom collected from their victims was used to purchase cattle by Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris to increase his herd of cattle.
“Ibrahim Mumini Toyin disclosed that his own share of the ransom allegedly paid was used to purchase cattle for him by Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris,” Mr Abutu said.
He stated that the suspects were being questioned while being held in custody and that they will be arraigned in court once the investigation was complete.
In Ekiti alone, four separate kidnapping incidents, particularly high-profile ones, have been reported so far this year. No fewer than 40 people were abducted for ransom by alleged gunmen in the state between March and June.
The Ijesa Isu-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti routes have been particularly picked by the criminal group as their den.
Residents of the state’s Ikole-Ekiti LGA demonstrated in March against the frequent kidnappings committed by Fulani herdsmen in the region, pleading with Governor Kayode Fayemi to sponsor a bill amending existing law to impose a “death penalty” on kidnappers.
Source: People’s Gazette.
