One of the suspects arrested over the abduction of Mrs Busayo Olaide, sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, has confessed that the gang initially planned to kidnap the former minister’s mother.
The suspect, Segun Balogun, popularly known as “Alawaye”, made the disclosure while speaking from police custody, explaining how he became involved in the operation.
Balogun, who described himself as a commercial driver operating from Iwo Road Motor Park in Ibadan, said he was recruited by the alleged gang leader, Adewale Abolarinwa, also known as “Oloro”.
According to him, Oloro had approached him after making inquiries about Adelabu’s mother and her residence.
He said that after showing Oloro the location of the woman’s house, the gang leader revealed plans to abduct either the former minister’s mother or another member of the family for ransom.
Balogun said he agreed to participate in the plot after Oloro promised him financial rewards, adding that his role was limited to driving the operational vehicle used during the kidnapping.
He narrated that on the day of the operation, he and three other gang members waited for a vehicle conveying the intended victims before intercepting it along the road.
“We were four in the vehicle. I was the driver while the others were masked. We blocked the car, and the mother and the children were forced into our vehicle,” he said.
Balogun added that the gang’s original expectation was that the children would be accompanied by a driver, but circumstances changed during the operation.
He claimed that after driving the victims to a designated location, he left the other gang members and became overwhelmed with fear.
“My heart was pumping hard. Since that day, I have not been able to eat properly. I have only been drinking water,” he said.
The suspect also explained how he was arrested, saying police officers investigating Oloro contacted him through members of their transport union.
According to him, officers became suspicious after listening to voice notes allegedly sent by Oloro discussing an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a firearm.
Balogun said investigators later uncovered his role in the kidnapping following the arrest of the gang leader.
Meanwhile, the alleged mastermind, Oloro, has reportedly been transferred from police custody to a hospital after embarking on a prolonged hunger strike following his arrest.
Sources said the suspect allegedly refused food, water and basic sanitation, prompting emergency medical intervention.
Authorities disclosed that Oloro, who has a previous conviction for kidnapping, has also been uncooperative with medical personnel attending to him.
Police authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the latest developments in the case.
The abduction of Mrs Olaide and her twin sons generated widespread concern in Oyo State, with security agencies intensifying efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks operating within the region.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
