Lagos Billionaire Kidnappers: Renowned Nollywood Actor Linked to Ownership of Operational Vehicles

A few hours after the police eliminated nine billionaire kidnappers who had long terrorized Lagos and its environs, it was revealed that a popular Nollywood actor and producer based in Port Harcourt, known simply as Ode, was among those killed during the encounter with the police.

While initial skepticism surrounded the report, it has been confirmed that the actor and producer was one of the kidnappers killed by detectives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad in the Ladipo area of Lagos. NIGERIANEWS247 learned that since the news broke, detectives have been working diligently, conducting discreet electronic and intelligence investigations to identify the nine kidnappers they confronted at the Ladipo auto spare parts market, where the criminals attempted to kidnap a wealthy businessman.

Following the incident, detectives recovered four mobile phones from the dead kidnappers’ pockets, along with other personal items, leading to further investigations. Police sources revealed that the two vehicles used by the kidnappers—a Lexus 350 Jeep and a 4Runner Jeep—were registered in the actor’s name. Additionally, the two mobile phones used for operations were also registered in his name, although they displayed pictures of two unidentified young men with fake addresses. Every other piece of documentary information linked to the kidnappers was in the actor’s name.

NIGERIANEWS247 also reported that while detectives are still working to uncover the true identities of the remaining gang members killed during the encounter, significant progress has been made. One of the gang members was identified as a twin, with the twin brother fleeing their residence after learning of his brother’s fate. A WhatsApp user who knew the twins identified five of the killed kidnappers, revealing that two of them lived in his immediate vicinity and frequented a local bar.

He recounted, “Yesterday was very revealing and eye-opening. Five of these kidnap gangsters were identified, and two of them lived in my immediate environs. I recognized them from a bar I frequent. I showed the bar owner the gruesome videos and pictures, and she screamed out aloud. She pointed to the picture and identified the guys, who had attended her birthday last month, spraying her with mint N500 notes and drinking expensive liquor. They were the ‘Dorime’ masters of that night.”

It was further discovered that one fleeing gang member was traced to a popular city in the North, with efforts underway to arrest him. Another popular hideout for the kidnappers in Lagos has been identified, and detectives are closely monitoring it to identify and apprehend more gang members. The owner of a popular beer parlour frequented by the kidnappers is already in police custody, providing useful information.

The kidnappers managed to evade police detection for so long by wearing military uniforms, which allowed them easy passage through police checkpoints. These camouflage uniforms were among the items recovered from their cars after the Ladipo encounter.

Police sources noted that executive members of the Ladipo market recently visited Lagos State Police Commissioner, Adegoke Fayoade, to commend him and the police for their efforts in eliminating criminals from the market. They presented a certificate of commendation to the police boss and pledged to cooperate with the police in their ongoing efforts to combat crime.

In the aftermath, hoteliers and businessmen reported a significant increase in business, as customers, previously afraid to venture out at night, now felt safe to enjoy nighttime activities.