Abducted Shangisha Baale regains freedom

Exactly one week after a three-man gang along the Center for Management Development (CMD) Road, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) abducted him, the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, Lagos State, Chief Mutiu Ogundare, secured his freedom yesterday.

This is just as the police are trying to crack the mystery behind the disappearance and his release following the alleged inconsistent statements by the chief and his brother. He was reportedly released without any ransom paid days after his ‘abduction’. Strangely, his abductors had remained incommunicado after they picked him up.

Attempts to secure his release had proven difficult because the alleged kidnappers had switched off his phones and made no attempt to contact the family. His family was in despair until he was rescued by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), after which he put a call to his brother to alert his family of his release.

A police source who pleaded for anonymity said the Baale was picked up around Alausa as he was seen walking around aimlessly. He said: “RRS operatives were on patrol close to Alausa when they saw him walk up to the vehicle to introduce himself and they picked him up. He was taken to RRS headquarters where he was debriefed and allowed to call his brother.”

The source said it was the call that set off an alarm within the police operatives on ground, as the brother’s reaction to his release was not satisfactory enough.

“We tried to interview him about his ordeal but there were several inconsistencies. He said he was neither beaten or interrogated, neither did they ask him for contacts of his family members. He also claimed that while in captivity they did not blindfold him. Rather, they gave him free access to move around. He said he was only blindfolded when they wanted to release him.

“Meanwhile, we are still investigating because we are aware of a case involving a land matter in the area, which we think made him stage the incident.”

On the day he was kidnapped, the traditional ruler was in company of his brother, Mohammed Adams, when some unknown persons who claimed to be potential land buyers allegedly lured them out of the palace.