Suspects in Anisulowo’s kidnap moved to Abuja

Former minister, Iyabo Anisulowo, who was kidnapped last week.

Leader of the suspected kidnappers of ex-Minister of State for Education, Mrs. Iyabo Anisulowo, and two others, have been transferred to the Police High Command in Abuja for further interrogation.

Also, three former workers of Anisulowo, rescued about a week ago, are being interrogated in Abeokuta, state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali told newsmen yesterday.The Police are grilling them to determine the extent of their involvement in the kidnapping.

Ali spoke shortly after a meeting with the members of the state Police Community Relations Committee, which was held at the officers’ mess, Ibara, Abeokuta.

The police chief said, “The kingpin and two others have been transferred to Abuja. Apart from the kingpin, we picked one of his girl friends from Ilorin and another in Lagos.

“We also arrested three of the workers of the former minister, who we are presently working on at the command, while Abuja ‎is working on the other ones.”The state police boss dispelled the rumour that the kingpin is of Fulani stock, stressing, “He is a Nigerian and Yoruba to be precise.”

He said before the kidnappers were arrested when the police had negotiated with them to collect N10m as ransom.Ali disclosed that the police at this point got another telephone call from another suspected kidnapper in Port Harcourt, who claimed to be part of the same kidnapping ring, demanding N800, 000 be transferred to a particular bank account.

“We declined to make any transfer, and shortly after that the kingpin and other suspects were arrested and Mama (Senator Iyabo Anisulowo) was rescued unhurt,” he revealed.

Ali warned other criminal elements in the state to shun crime, as they would be “smoked out wherever they hide.”The police boss also urged relatives of victims of kidnappers, to shun payment of ransom, arguing that this would only encourage the criminals to continue in the nefarious act.