‘Cattle traders’ kidnapped, killed man 10 days to wedding – Police

 

The Kwara state police command has accused some cattle traders of kidnapping and killing a man who wanted to buy a cow from them for his wedding.

 

 

 

Police spokesperson in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the arrest of the alleged leader of gang, Mohammed Kazeem, in Patigi, Patigi Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday April 21.

 

 

 

Mr Kazeem was alleged to have collected N160,000 from the man Olokose Oluwasola Ojo, to get him a cow for his wedding scheduled for March 12 and 13 this year.

 

 

 

Security operatives were alerted after Ojo's fiancee received a phone call from his line demanding for N12 million ransom if she hoped to see him again.

 

 

 

Okasanmi said;

 

 

 

“Since the victim left Ilorin with the suspect, he could no longer be reached by anybody including his intending wife, one Ilori Oluwakemi ‘f’.

 

“On 3/3/2021, the wife received a phone call from her husband’s line demanding for N12 million ransom if she hoped to see her husband again.

 

“When the incident was reported, the Commissioner of Police directed an all encompassing investigation into the matter, ordering the arrest of the kidnappers and rescue the victim unhurt at all costs.”

 

 

 

An investigation led to the arrest of Kazeem, Mohammed Chatta, Jimoh Abdulateef and Madi Jeremiah. It was also learnt that they have confessed to killing the victim and burying him in a shallow grave inside the bush.

 

 

 

The suspects stated in their alleged confessional statement that they lured victim into the remote part of Patigi where he was told the cow he paid for was being kept. But on getting to the spot, he was shot dead.

 

 

 

Okasanmi added;

 

 

 

“Investigation further led to the arrest of three other members of the syndicate, 1. Mohammed Chatta, 2. Jimoh Abdulateef and 3. Madi Jeremiah.

 

“They took policemen to the scene of the killing where the head of the victim and arm was severed and used for money ritual by Mohammed Kazeem, the leader of the gang.

 

“The body of the victim was exhumed by the police and taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

 

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as court resumes sitting."