There are allegations that a Nollywood actor, Henry Ode is among 9 people said to be kidnappers who were k!lled by the police in Lagos.
The 9 suspects invaded Ladipo in the Mushin area of Lagos when the police confronted and eliminated them.
Police said for close to one year, its intelligence unit had monitored the kidnappers said to have been tormenting the elite in Lagos.
The source said many rich men and women in Lagos have been paying ransoms to the tune of N400 million in silence.
“Ode is the ring leader. Though he is a popular film actor, but he is a hardened criminal. He uses Nollywood as cover up” the source hinted.
Irohinoodua was also informed that Ode’s gang members are all from outside the Southwest.
“Ode recruited his own people who speak his own language” the source said adding that the kidnappers have an extensive ring of three layers.
He said some of them are involved in “One Chance”, a set of criminals that use phony public buses to kidnap and extort commuters at gun point; armed robbers who specialise in robbing banks and private homes as well as kidnappers who target the rich for ransom.
“Ode is the leader of the gang. Though nine of them have been killed, there is great suspicion that others are still at large”
The source praised the police for the professionalism in the July 5 operation without any civilian casualty.
“The Lagos police remains the best. They lead by excellent example” the security expert said.
The armed crooks operate around the Ajao, Okota, Isolo, and Ladipo axis of Lagos State.
The police said 5 AK-47 rifles and two SUV jeeps were recovered during the duel with the police.
Sources told Irohinoodua that intelligence operatives are investigating possible link of the kidnappers with rebel movements in some parts of the country.
Armed militants in Nigeria are known for raising funds by all means through kidnapping, bank and private home robbery.