Suspected killers of Aiyedatiwa’s campaign director arrested

Suspected killers of Alaba Abe, the campaign director of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, have been arrested by the police.

Abe, who was the director of campaign for Aiyedatiwa’s reelection in Akoko-South Local Government Area of the state, was kidnapped and killed by some gunmen at his house in Supare Akoko community in April this year.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the suspects were arrested by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command.

Odunlami, in a statement on Friday, gave the names of the suspects as Mohammed Sheu and Abubakar Umar.

She said, “On the 14th of November, 2024, men of the Special Anti Kidnapping on Stop and Search at Ikare Junction, at about 3.20 pm intercepted one Hiace vehicle popularly known as Hummer Bus conveying passengers to Owo.”

“During the search, Mohammed Sheu, 21 years, was singled out for brief interrogation. During interrogation, a voice note dropped as a message on his phone, and when opened, it was a reply from Sheu’s friend on the run who confirmed to had seen his message.

“A prior voice note sent by Sheu was opened; he told his friend that he was not financially buoyant and told him to contact him if there is any kidnapping job available that could fetch them some money.”

According to Odunlami, Sheu was later arrested and taken to the station for proper investigation where he allegedly confessed to other crimes, ranging from kidnapping, and robbery in various places like Kogi, Niger, Akoko, Ifon, Ipele axis, and Owo.

The PPRO said further investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Abubakar Umar, who also allegedly confessed to committing a similar crime as a gang member

Odunlami stated that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the group.