By: Sunday Ameh
Two suspected Fulani herdsmen have been arrested in connection with a series of kidnappings in Iseyin, Oyo State, and have reportedly confessed to collecting a total of ₦2.4 million in ransom from their victims.
The suspects, identified as Umaru Abubakar (25) and Bello Umaru Usman (32), were apprehended during a sting operation carried out by operatives of the Nigeria Forest Security Services in the Iseyin axis.
According to a viral video recorded by a witness on Thursday, the suspects—who had lived among residents for several years and were fluent in Yoruba—were captured shortly after a recent kidnap-for-ransom incident in the area.
During interrogation, the duo admitted to participating in kidnapping activities and revealed how they received ransom payments running into millions of naira.
“This is our first time doing it. We collected ₦2,400,000. It was one Alhaji Otu’s son who gave us information about the victim. When we were returning from the operation, we met the same Alhaji and decided to abduct him too,” one of the suspects confessed in the video.
The men were also found with a substantial amount of cash and ammunition believed to be proceeds and tools of their criminal activities.
Residents of Iseyin expressed outrage over the incident, lamenting that many suspected kidnappers are often released after arrest and later return to terrorize the community.
“I just hope the police won’t later release them because they always come back for revenge,” a concerned resident said.
The arrests have once again raised concerns about the rising cases of kidnapping across Oyo State and the need for stronger and more consistent security measures.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities have yet to provide additional details regarding further investigations or possible accomplices.
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