EXCLUSIVE: Daring abductors of ex-Minister advised police to end hunt, help pay N200 million ransom

‎The leader of a group that abducted a former minister of state for Education, Iyabo Anisulowo, is an audacious kingpin in the business who approached the police to help facilitate the payment of the N200 million ransom they demanded while she was being held captive, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

Mrs. Anisulowo, also a former senator, was abducted last Wednesday at Sawonjo area in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State.

She regained her freedom after six days in captivity during which she took only water.

Security officials told PREMIUM TIMES that the gang leader, ‎who is now in police custody following his arrest on Tuesday, advised the police by phone to stop wasting their time seeking ways of rescuing Mrs. Anisulowo.

He advised them to instead help ensure speedy payment of the huge ransom.

He reportedly said the police would make no headway if they chose to press on with their efforts to locate the gang’s hideout.

However, the police successfully tracked him through the same telephone line he used in making the call, our sources said.

Officials believe the gang leader, whose name has not been officially released, obtained the command’s telephone number through the media.

The police had, in desperate moves to rescue Mrs. Anisulowo, released some telephone numbers through the media requesting useful information that would assist in the rescue efforts.

While the kidnappers, during the period of the hostage, demanded a N200 million ransom from the former minister’s family, the police also announced the offer of N5 million for any information that could lead to the former minister’s release.