Olu Falae's kidnappers reveal they did it for money but their leader made off with the cash

TWO of the Fulani cattle herders involved in the abduction of former finance minister Chief Olu Falae have confessed that they carried out the kidnapping to obtain money with which to celebrate the recent Sallah festivities but their leader absconded with the ransom.

 

On September 21, Chief Falae, 77, was abducted from his farm near the Ondo State capital Akure, by armed hoodlums said to be Fulani herdsmen. They subsequently released the former secretary to the federal government and presidential candidate unharmed after his family paid them a ransom of N5m (£17,000).

 

Following the release, the police swung into action and six of the 13 kidnappers were arrested after they were traced to hideouts in Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi and Niger States. Yesterday, the Department of State Service (DSS) paraded two of the suspects indentified as Abdullahi Usman, 26 and Babawuro Kato in Abuja, where they confessed their involvement in the crime.

 

According to the DSS, it was worried about what it called the ethnic dimension the abduction has taken, insisting that Chief Falae’s kidnapping was a mere criminal act. DSS spokesman Abdullahi Garba, described as erroneous any indication of ethnicity in Falae’s kidnapping, pointing out that the two suspects confessed they did it just to earn money.

 

Mr Garba said: “Investigations have further revealed that their action was not targeted at Falae as a statesman and prominent Yoruba leader. We called this news conference because some people were unduly giving ethnic colouration to this.

 

“Nigerians are therefore enjoined to live peacefully with one another and shun attempts by mischief-makers to give this unfortunate incident an ethnic or any other coloration and use same to cause disaffection among the populace. To this effect, this service wishes to appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and responsible in their commentary on sensitive issues affecting national security."

 

Messrs Usman and Kato, who are Fulani, claimed that they only met in pursuit of making quick money and without knowing about the target chosen by the group leader. Mr Usman, who said he left Lokoja and used his motorcycle to transport their ring-leader, Dattijo and Chief Falae who was sandwiched between them, claimed that he never knew the identity of their victim.

 

He explained how he helped to pinpoint a so-called big man who goes to his farm in a Toyota Hilux van who could be kidnapped to provide Sallah and wedding funds to some of his friends. Mr Usman said he was approached by some of his friends in Kwara State shortly before the last Eid El-Kabir Sallah festival during a wedding ceremony.

 

In addition, Mr Usman recalled that Mr Datijo approached him complaining that he was so broke that he might not be able to satisfactorily celebrate the coming festival unless he was able to give information on any big man that could be abducted for money. They then arranged the kidnapping and took Chief Falae to Owo where he was kept at a place called Pipeline around Benin Junction.

 

Mr Kato said he was the one sent on errands to buy the bread and Coca-Cola requested by the kidnap victim, adding that their leader, Dattijo, who claimed that he was going to Abuja to collect the money eventually bolted away with the ransom money and switched off his mobile phone. Messrs Usman and Kato were arrested October 5 at J. Zebra Hotel along Ganaja Road, Lokoja in Kogi State.

 

Mr Garba added that efforts are being intensified to ensure that all those involved in the criminal act are brought to justice. He said the DSS will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody, no matter how highly placed, in accordance with the law as long as such a person's commit criminal acts.