Police detectives in Lagos investigating the recent killing of nine billionaire kidnappers said to be terrorizing Lagos and environs have made a shocking discovery, while also record a breakthrough in their investigations, it was learnt over the weekend.

Before now, the only reported member of the gang gunned down by police sharp shooters during the deadly encounter was a popular Nollywood actor and producer based in Port Harcourt identified as Prince Henry Ode.

While sceptism over the report continues to linger, it has been authoritatively confirmed that the actor and producer was really one of the billionaire kidnappers killed by detectives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad at the popular Ladipo auto spare parts market where they came to kidnap a wealthy business man.

It was learned that police investigations have been significantly helped by the recovery of four mobile phones from the pockets of the dead kidnappers and other vital and personal items. Police sources said the first shocking discovery made by detectives was that the two vehicles used by the kidnappers – a Lexus 350 Jeep and 4 Runner Jeep – belonged to the actor. The two vehicles that were discovered to be their operational vehicles were duly registered in his name.

Similarly, the two mobile telephones they used for operations were also registered in the name of the actor but with pictures of two yet-to-be identified young men and fake addresses. Sources said that apart from that, every other information in the documentary information detectives got were in his name.

It also gathered that detectives have been able to discover that one of the killed billionaire kidnappers was a twin who lived with his twin brother in one of the suburbs of Lagos. Sources said the twin brother fled from their residence after he learned of the fate that befell his brother. This was after a WhatsApp user wrote that he knew the twins and had been able to identify five of the killed kidnapers.

He wrote: “Yesterday was a very revealing and eye-opening day for me. Five of these kidnap gang were identified, and the shocking part is that 2 of them live in my immediate environs, and I actually know them from a particular bar I frequent in my area. I was showing the owner of the bar the gruesome videos and pictures, and she suddenly screamed out aloud. She pointed to the picture and shouted ….don’t I know these guys, Ejima and Odogwu? But the bloodied faces did not make me recognize them. She proceeded to unlock her phone and showed me pictures of the guys in fresh clothes when they attended her birthday on the 27th of June, last month. I was also at the birthday and my brain just immediately rewound, and I recollected them spraying her mint notes of N500 denominations’ and remembered their table that was doused with very expensive liquor. They were the “Dorime” masters of that night.”

Police sources disclosed that one of the fleeing members of the gang was traced to a popular city in the North, and efforts are in top gear to arrest him. This is just as another of their popular rendezvous in Lagos has been discovered and detectives are keeping close watch over activities going on there with a view to identifying more of their gang members and arresting them. “Already, the owner of one of the popular beer parlours where the kidnappers reportedly frequent, is in police net and is given useful information to the police,” one source squealed.

Furthermore, it was gathered that the kidnappers were able to escape police searchlight for that long because they were always fully kitted with military uniforms and other accoutrements, which gave them easy passage at police checkpoints. The camouflage uniforms were among items recovered in their cars after their encounter with the police at Ladipo.

Meanwhile, executive members of Ladipo market recently paid solidarity visit to Lagos State Police Commissioner, Adegoke Fayoade, where they commended him and the police for the feat they have achieved in flushing criminals out of the market. During the visit, they presented a certificate of commendation to the police boss and promised to cooperate with the police “in their tireless efforts to curtail crime in the area.”

In the same vein, it was learned that some hoteliers and businessmen also visited the police boss and revealed that following the elimination of the billionaire kidnappers, their businesses have started booming based on the fact that customers who were afraid of coming out in the nights now feel free and enjoy all night long.

•PHOTO: Executive members of Ladipo market on a solidarity visit to CP Adegoke Fayoade on Friday, July 19, 2024. Seen presenting a certificate of commendation to the police boss is Prince Africanus N Ogudoro

President General Ladipo International Market. The person on his left side is Chris Okafor, Vice President General of Ladipo International Market. By the CP’s immediate right is Chief Onyeka Igwe, Chief of staff to the President, and next is the General Secretary, Ladipo International Market.

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