Six of the suspected Fulani herdsmen, who kidnapped the former 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 gathered 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 every 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.
