Police Arrest Abductors of Popular Islamic Cleric Twins

Seven suspects in connection with the abduction of the two-year-old twins of a popular Islamic cleric, Alhaj Taofeek Azeez, aka Akewugbagold were paraded on Monday by the Oyo State Police Command.

The police said investigation revealed that the suspected kidnappers, who invaded the Ibadan residence of the cleric on April 25, 2020, included a couple and two close associates of Akewugbagold.

Those arrested include Rildwan Taiwo, 30; Olumide Ajala, 36; Fatai Akanji, 39; Mutiu Rafiu, 35; and his wife Modinat, 29.

Two aides of the cleric, Bashiru Mohammed,33; and Opeyemi Oyeleye, 25, were also apprehended.

During their parade on Monday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Shina Olukolu, said investigation carried out in Oyo, Adamawa and Sokoto states led to the arrest of members of the syndicate.

Items recovered from the suspected kidnappers included One locally-made cut-to-size single-barrelled gun, eight live cartridges, one Nissan Micra car with number plate JJJ 703 BJ, another Nissan Micra car with number plate NRK 864 YR, the sum of N2,863,000, being part of the ransom and an unregistered TVS motorcycle were recovered from the hoodlums.

“Although I am the only wife, when my husband and the others brought the twins to our house, I thought they were brought from my husband’s mistress,” she stated.

Akewugbagold’s aides, alleged that they mooted the idea because they were broke.

The cleric, however, said, “I pay them salaries regularly and they always receive gifts whenever we go for lectures. This is a result of greed.”