Police in Lagos expose Nollywood actor as kidnapping ringleader
Police detectives in Lagos, investigating the recent killing of nine billionaire kidnappers terrorising Lagos and surrounding areas, have made a shocking discovery and recorded a significant breakthrough in their investigations over the weekend.
Before now, the only reported member of the gang gunned down by police sharpshooters during a deadly encounter was a popular Nollywood actor and producer based in Port Harcourt, identified as Prince Henry Ode.
Despite skepticism over the report, it has been confirmed that the actor and producer were indeed one of the billionaire kidnappers killed by detectives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad at the popular Ladipo auto spare parts market, where they attempted to kidnap a wealthy businessman.
Police investigations have been significantly helped by the recovery of four mobile phones from the pockets of the dead kidnappers and other vital personal items.
Police sources said the first shocking discovery made by detectives was that the two vehicles used by the kidnappers – a Lexus 350 Jeep and a 4 Runner Jeep – belonged to the actor. The two operational vehicles were registered in his name.
Similarly, the two mobile telephones they used for operations were also registered in the name of the actor but featured pictures of two yet-to-be-identified young men and fake addresses. Sources said that aside from that, every other piece of documentary information detectives got was in his name.
Detectives have also discovered that one of the killed billionaire kidnappers was a twin who lived with his brother in one of the suburbs of Lagos. Sources said the twin brother fled their residence after learning of his brother’s fate. This was after a WhatsApp user claimed to know the twins and identified five of the killed kidnappers.
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The user wrote: “Yesterday was a very revealing and eye-opening day for me. Five of these kidnap gang were identified, and the shocking part is that 2 of them live in my immediate environs, and I actually know them from a particular bar I frequent in my area. I was showing the owner of the bar the gruesome videos and pictures, and she suddenly screamed out aloud. She pointed to the picture and shouted ….don’t I know these guys, Ejima and Odogwu? But the bloodied faces did not make me recognise them. She proceeded to unlock her phone and showed me pictures of the guys in fresh clothes when they attended her birthday on the 27th of June, last month. I was also at the birthday and my brain just immediately rewound, and I recollected them spraying her mint notes of N500 denominations’ and remembered their table that was doused with very expensive liquor. They were the “Dorime” masters of that night.”
Police sources disclosed that one of the fleeing gang members was traced to a popular city in the North, and efforts are in top gear to arrest him. Additionally, another of their popular rendezvous spots in Lagos has been discovered, and detectives are closely monitoring activities there to identify and arrest more gang members. The owner of one of the popular beer parlours the kidnappers frequented is in police custody and providing useful information.
The kidnappers managed to evade police detection for so long by being fully equipped with military uniforms and other accoutrements, which gave them easy passage at police checkpoints. The camouflage uniforms were among the items recovered from their cars after their encounter with the police at Ladipo.
Meanwhile, executive members of Ladipo market recently paid a solidarity visit to Lagos State Police Commissioner, Adegoke Fayoade, commending him and the police for their achievements in flushing criminals out of the market. During the visit, they presented a certificate of commendation to the police boss and promised to cooperate with the police in their efforts to curtail crime in the area.
Similarly, some hoteliers and businessmen visited the police boss, revealing that following the elimination of the billionaire kidnappers, their businesses have started booming as customers who were previously afraid to go out at night now feel free to enjoy all-night activities.
