From Victor Akinkuolie , Ado- Ekiti

A popular vulcaniser operating in the heart of Ado-Ekiti, Ige Adu and a kidnap kingpin, Bummi Ogunremi, were among the suspects arrested by the police in Ekiti State, in connection with the abduction of a Petrol dealer in the state, Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami.
The popular petrol dealer who was a former Chairman, Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Ekiti State chapter, was kidnapped in January, 2021 by yet to be identified gunmen in the states, and was in captivity for eight days.
Similarly, the criminal gang were alleged to be responsible for the abduction of the former Surveyor General of Ekiti State’s wife ,Mrs Osalusi Funmilola, one Olowo Bolaji and Abiodun Ajayi, who died as a result of injuries sustained during the kidnap.
While Akinbami was picked up at his filling station, Mrs Osalusi was kidnapped at her residence within the vicinity of the petrol dealer’s business premises located along Federal Polytechnic road, Ado Ekiti.
Addresing journalists while parading the suspects in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Sunday Abutu, said the alleged culprits were nabbed on November 6, 2021, at about 4pm, by operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), based on a thorough investigation and tips from members of the public.
Abutu said, “During interrogation, the suspects confessed to be responsible for the kidnapping of one Olowo Bolaji ‘m’ in Ipoti-Ekiti on January 29, 2020. They also confessed to have kidnapped one Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami, a petrol dealer, on January 10, 2021 in Ado-Ekiti.
“The suspects stated that they kidnapped one Mrs Osalusi Dapo, wife of a former Ekiti State Surveyor General sometime this year.
“The suspects further confessed that their syndicate kidnapped late Chief Abiodun Ajayi earlier this year in Ado-Ekiti, who jumped from their vehicle but later died in the hospital during treatment due to the injuries he sustained.
“They said they usually keep their victims in his father’s house, one late Chief Bafon, located at Water Works, Ado-Ekiti and sometimes move them to Ayere Forest in Kogi State before demanding for ransom.
“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 effort led to the arrest of one Taiwo Fayoke, who confessed to be their food supplier whenever victims are held hostage”.
While being interrogated, the Vulcanizer, Ige Adu, who is from Ikere Ekiti, said he was the one who identified Akinbami when the operation was about to be carried out, saying he had made over N600,000 being compensation given on the kidnap
“I was the one who identified Alhaji Akinbami for them. I also participated in the kidnap of Mrs Osalusi. I was given N100,000 on Akinbami’s abduction while I received N450,000 for the second operation. I have made a total of N550,000 from the operations I was involved”.
One of the arrowheads of the kidnap syndicate, Bunmi Ogunremi, said he had carried out four operations in Ekiti, since he started the criminal business, revealing that his tentacles had spread to the neighbouring states of Osun,Kogi and Ondo States.
“When we started, my duty was to drive those suspects who are at large. I drove Alhaji Akinbami and the Surveyor General’s wife to our hideout in Kogi. I have only involved in four kidnap operations.”