A shrine, suspected to be a hideout for kidnappers has been
discovered by Oyo State Police Command at Isase, Ojoku, in Ona Ara Local
Government Area of the state.
discovered by Oyo State Police Command at Isase, Ojoku, in Ona Ara Local
Government Area of the state.
Fake dollar notes and posh cars were discovered at the
shrine, which is located in a very remote place, by a team of policemen led by
the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Katsina.
shrine, which is located in a very remote place, by a team of policemen led by
the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Katsina.
The cars include two Toyota Camry, with number plates LAGOS
AAA-125 and LAGOS AAA-207
AAA-125 and LAGOS AAA-207
DH; and another Nissan Almera, with number plates
LAGOS AGL 882 DF.
LAGOS AGL 882 DF.
Other items found at the shrine include idols, charms,
cowries and mats.
cowries and mats.
There was an underground cell where captives were believed
to be kept. Also discovered in the place was a substance that looked like palm
oil and salt, which were poured on some statues.
to be kept. Also discovered in the place was a substance that looked like palm
oil and salt, which were poured on some statues.
Though two of the suspects escaped, policemen arrested one
of them whose name was given as Ismail Adesina, 43.
of them whose name was given as Ismail Adesina, 43.
Confession
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Katsina (left)
and his men at a suspected ritualist den in Isese of Badaku village, Ibadan,
yesterday. NAN photo.
and his men at a suspected ritualist den in Isese of Badaku village, Ibadan,
yesterday. NAN photo.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Katsina (left)
and his men at a suspected ritualist den in Isese of Badaku village, Ibadan,
yesterday. NAN photo.
and his men at a suspected ritualist den in Isese of Badaku village, Ibadan,
yesterday. NAN photo.
He denied the allegation that they were ritualists, but
confessed that he and others at large were using the shrine to dupe their
victims.
confessed that he and others at large were using the shrine to dupe their
victims.
He added that they collected between N150,000 and N250,000
from their victims, depending on the extent of deceit.
from their victims, depending on the extent of deceit.
The suspect said they had been using the shrine for the past
four years.
four years.
He said: “We have deceived up to five persons, comprising
four men and one woman. The woman came to us because she was barren. We asked
her to bring N150,000 or N200,000.
four men and one woman. The woman came to us because she was barren. We asked
her to bring N150,000 or N200,000.
“We built this place ourselves. We do the work of Babalawo
here. Our clients used to come from as far as Abuja.
here. Our clients used to come from as far as Abuja.
“I hail from Beyerunka, Ibadan. My father was a Babalawo.
But my father was not a fraudster like me.
But my father was not a fraudster like me.
“The owners of the cars are our partners that usually bring
customers to us.
customers to us.
“My wife divorced me and went away with the two kids she had
for me. She left me about two years ago because she asked me for money and I
did not have.
for me. She left me about two years ago because she asked me for money and I
did not have.
“I have been into this business before the divorce issue
came in.”
came in.”
The police commissioner said he had spread his dragnet to
catch the fleeing suspects wherever they might be.
catch the fleeing suspects wherever they might be.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
