Abducted Shangisha traditional ruler freed

By Evelyn Usman

Traditional ruler of Shangsha , Chief Mutiu Ogundare ,who was abducted by gunmen last Wednesday, along the Center for Management Development,(CMD Road, in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, has been freed.

Family sources disclosed that Ogundare was dropped off at Alausa area of Ikeja, blindfolded , at the early hours of yesterday.

Recall that Ogundare received a call from some strangers who invited him to CMD Guest House, Shangisha, after informing him that they were interested in buying a piece of land. He reportedly went in the company of his brother, Mohammed Adams , only for the gun toting strangers to whisk the former away, in their Toyota Venza saloon car , after ordering the later to get down.

Since the purported abduction, no call, was reportedly put across to Ogundare’s family members , to indicate that he could have been abducted,until yesterday, when he was released. Family sources informed that no ransom was paid either.

Vanguard gathered that Ogundare was found walking aimlessly at Alausa, until he sighted a Rapid Response Squad’s van on patrol. He reportedly flagged the vehicle down and introduced himself to the policemen , consequent upon which he was taken him to their office.

While being questioned on his ordeal in the hands of his captors, Ogundare stated that he was not beaten , nor asked to get telephone numbers of any of his relatives. While in the purported den, he stated that he was not blinded folded, adding that his captors only blindfolded him when they were taking him back.

He was thereafter, taken to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Surulere , from where his family members were contacted.

But police sources hinted that Ogundare’s case might not be that of kidnap as speculated but might be connected with land matter . Sources further stated there were suspicions that the purported kidnap could have been stage managed, as it lacked common kidnap traces.

Sources said : “ From his statement , there is no pointer to the fact that he was abducted. It looks like a stage managed thing. First, contact was not made for payment of ransom as expected in any given kidnap scenario. His phone was switched off during his absence , by his captors . Also, upon arrival, when he contacted one of his relatives on phone, the person at the other end did not show any excitement , he simply said he would meet him at home. From all indication, it looks likes a land matter issue because we are aware of a case involving land matter in the area. Nevertheless, investigation is still ongoing”.

The post Abducted Shangisha traditional ruler freed appeared first on Vanguard News.