Secretary to the Federal Government Nigeria and Finance Minister.
Chief Olu Falae, have been arrested and an unspecified amount of the
ransom recovered from one of them.
Vanguard reports that the six abductors, were apprehended at separate
locations in Niger, Ondo and Ekiti states, by a team of Special
Intelligence Squad, deployed to Ondo State by the Inspector General
of Police, Solomon Arase.
The suspects, who were said to be of northern extraction, were picked
when the operatives, following an intelligence report, combed several
locations in Ondo, Ekiti and Niger States.
It was further gathered that one of the suspects was still in
possession of his share of the ransom when he was apprehended.
Although the Ondo State police Command was yet to confirm nor deny
the arrest but competent family source confirmed the arrest.
Three of the abductors were apprehended in Niger State. Sources said
seven others are still on the run.
Reports have it that the suspects, who will soon be paraded are being
detained at the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, in Akure, the state
capital.
Four of the suspects were reportedly arrested last week Sunday, while
the other two were picked up during the week.
Vanguard learnt that the suspects have made confessional statement.
Speaking with newsmen, Police spokesman, Femi Joseph was not
categorical about the arrest of the suspects.
He said; ''The kidnap of Chief Falae was a national issue. It has
been taken over by the Inspector General of Police. All the issue that
has to do with Chief Falae is being handled by the IGP himself.
"I am sure that IGP will brief newsmen today on the development as
regards the kidnap of Chief Falae.''
A visit to the state police command showed that the security in the
SARS had been upped.
The former Finance Minister was abducted by gun-wielding Fulani
herdsmen in his farm located at Ilado village in Akure North area of
the state.
He was released after 72 hours in captivity and payment of N5 million
ransom to the kidnappers.
The politician's kidnap had generated a lot of controversies across the country.
Various Yoruba groups have condemned the activities of the herdsmen
in the South west.
Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba Socio Political group at an emergency meeting
a week ago called for the stoppage of cattle rearing activities in
South West states.
Spokesman of the group, Yinka Odumakin said that their activities
should be stopped in entire Yorubaland.
A Communique read by Odumakin said "We demand that nomadic cattle
rearing should be stopped in ever y state of Yoruba land.
According to him "We are not unmindful of some silences, but the
voices of those who spoke for the solidarity with boldness with which
they have spoken out on this barbarity.
Also, at the weekend Yoruba leaders gathered for a summit in Ibadan
threatening secession if the herdsmen menace was not addressed.
-Vanguard
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