Police expose last-minute call between Nollywood actor, gang members before kidnapping billionaire
The phone conversation between notorious billionaire kidnappers in Lagos has come to light.
The leader, Prince Henry Ode, a figure linked to Nollywood as an actor and producer was heard strategising with a gang member stationed at the bustling Ladipo auto spare parts market on the day of their planned operation.
Sources within the police have revealed that an undercover gang member was embedded in the market, tracking the victim’s movements in real time just hours before the attack.
This informant provided crucial updates, signaling when the moment was right for the gang to strike.
READ ALSO: Abia Cattle Market Turned Kidnappers Hideout: A transformation from slaughterhouse to human abattoir
Investigators from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad, under the leadership of Kehinde Oni, uncovered vital digital evidence regarding the gang’s preparations.
This intelligence led to a decisive police operation, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire in which the kidnappers were ultimately neutralised.
Unknown to the criminals, they were under constant surveillance by an elite team of detectives selected by State Commissioner of Police Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, who had tactically positioned them to thwart the kidnapping attempt.
Initial reports indicate that the recorded dialogue between Prince Henry Ode and an unidentified accomplice, who was monitoring the victim, may hold key information about the gang’s operations and intentions.
The voice-recorded conversation in Igbo language went thus:
Actor: How far, is he out now? Which road leads to that place, is it through airport or 7/8?
Member: I don’t know the road he uses. I am still watching him. Where are you people now? Have you taken off? He has entered his car, no time.
Actor: Do you know your problem? You are never calculative. You are a drunk. Drink will make you not to achieve anything in life. So you have the compass about the man’s movement and you did not tell us earlier? Continue drinking.
All I want is for you to give me the information I need. After we must have succeeded and given you your share, you can finish it on drinks, no wahala. How many times did I call you? We don dey come.
Member: Please don’t be angry with me, no vex. You know how Ladipo is now.
Actor: Be careful and know how you are picking calls, be careful oooo.
Member: That’s what I am doing and you said I was drunk. I am always very careful. Please forgive me. I always step out each time I want to answer your call, biko (please).
Actor: No wahala, just hold your phone steady. Monitor the guy. Let me know all his movement.
Member: I have heard, no Wahala.
Actor: We are on our way. We are at Bucknor.
Member: Where exactly are you people? What is happening? I need to know how far. The man is still there. I am still in the market. You know they are about closing for the day. I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.
Meanwhile, more revelations emerged with details of how the Nollywood actor, Prince Henry Ode had cleverly avoided both arrest and prying eyes of members of the public after abducting their victims.
Sources said unknown to his colleagues in the industry, Prince Henry Ode normally dumped his victims in another wing of their location and most of the time, he played the role of either a sharpshooter or a lone ranger which involved handling weapons.
Sources said some of his victims revealed that they always hear noise of rehearsals from where they were confined and most times, they will hear many people talking loudly followed with laughters.
It was learnt that detectives were still making frantic efforts to unravel names of all the dead kidnappers, including their background and other necessary information about them.
According to sources, “It is only then that we will be able to tell the world their identities and it will not be long.”
Proofreading by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
