*As report says Kwara, Ekiti kidnap kingpin, Olowofela, arrested
By BASHIR ADEFAKA, OUR REPORTERS (Ado-Ekiti and Ilorin)
Leader of kidnap syndicate terrorising Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara states, one Pa Olowofela, has been reportedly arrested, according to a media report on Monday.
His arrest came after the apprehension of one Baboga Alhaji, one of the suspected kidnappers responsible for the killing of the two Ekiti traditional rulers, on Monday January 29, 2024.
Olowofela, an octogenarian, is based in Igbara Odo, Ekiti State with a chain of business enterprise cutting across the state, including a sawmill in Irele, the axis where the nefarious activities of the abductors is most pronounced.
He was arrested by a combined team of security apparatus from Kwara State, who stormed Ijowa Ekiti, in Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Monday morning and dispatch a team to effect his arrest from his Igbara Odo abode.
It was joy mixed with shock when Olowofela was brought to Ijowa by the detached team in cuffs as villagers expressed surprise that he could be linked with the dreaded activities that hasve formed the nightmare of the people overtime.
It was gathered that Olowofela and his gang are responsible for the recent killings of the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, the Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olatunde Olusola and the Olukoro of Ikoro, Kwara State, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole.
In the meantime, when The DEFENDER called the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Subday Abutu, for confirmation or otherwise, with regard to authenticity of the report, he said it was not true.
He also refuted report that his command earlier arrested one Fulani suspect named, Baboga Alhaji, said to have confessed to killing the two Ekiti monarchs.
Responding to The DEFENDER, DSP Abutu, who called back returning our earlier call Tuesday afternoon, said, “I am not aware of any arrest of a man called Olowofela but we are still doing our findings.”
He, however, confirmed arrest of nine suspects following the killing of the two monarchs but did not confirm they are Fulani people.
“I cannot say they are Fulani but we arrested them in the bushes. What we found out is that videos and photos of arrests made in the past are now being circulated around by some people to create impression they are fresh arrests,” he said.
Also, PPRO of Kwara State Police Command, DSP. Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, called by this online newspaper for her comment, promised to respond as she was in a meeting.as at the time of filing this report.
“Good afternoon sir. I will get back to you please,” DSP Adeyemi said in a WhatsApp message responding to The DEFENDER enquiry.
