Court remands 3 kidnappers over N5m ransom

A magistrate’s court in Ilorin on Tuesday remanded three men, alleged to have kidnapped one Adamu Adamu, a farmer in Tabera Fulani Camp, near Okuta in the Baruteen Local Government Area of Kwara.

The accused, Yahaya Daodu, Hassan Jida and Yere Kumeh, are standing trial on a three count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery.

Chief Magistrate Kudirat Yahaya ordered the remand of the three accused at the Mondala Prison in Ilorin and adjourned the case until May 31, for mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Matthew Ologbonsade, told the court that one Mohammed Adamu of Tabera Fulani Camp reported the case at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Okuta, on April 27.

Ologbonsaye said the complainant reported that his father, Adamu Adamu, left home on April 26 for Okuta, but did not return.

He said on April 27 at about 10a.m., Adamu’s pair of sandals was seen with a phone number - 08101724798 - attached to it, at the entrance to the complainant’s apartment.

The prosecutor said the owner of the phone number later called and demanded for N5 million as ransom for the release of Adamu.

Ologbonsaye said the complainant informed vigilante operatives at Okuta and its environs.

He said on April 30, one of the suspected kidnappers, Yahaya Daodu, was arrested on information.

The prosecutor said during police interrogation, Daodu confessed to the crime and named Hassan Jida as the mastermind of the kidnap.

He said on May 1, Jida was arrested and he identified other members of the gang as Yere Kumeh and one Tambaya, who is now at large.

The prosecutor said Tambaya escaped with Adamu’s Bajaj motorcycle valued at N215,000 and N6, 000 cash.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)