Detectives from the Special Squad Unit of the Lagos State Police Command have uncovered the identity of a key member of the notorious gang of billionaire kidnappers who was killed during a raid at Ladipo Market last month.
The gang, already infamous for its brutal operations, had previously seen the identification of only one leader, Nollywood actor and producer Prince Henry Ode from Port Harcourt.
Ode, along with four of his colleagues in the film industry, was involved in a violent confrontation with the police during the raid.
Extensive Case Files Discovered
The investigation, led by CSP Kehinde Oni, has revealed an alarming 42 case files related to the gang’s operations across various police stations in Lagos.
This discovery has further underscored the extensive criminal activities of the group.
“It was a shocking discovery,” CSP Oni remarked. “The sheer volume of evidence against the gang underscores the extent of their criminal activities.”
Details of the Ladipo Market Raid
The gang’s activities prior to the Ladipo Market raid included the kidnapping of a wealthy female supermarket owner from Ago Okota, from whom they extorted N68 million in ransom.
CCTV footage from the supermarket later revealed the involvement of an informant, identified as Uzoamaka, who was seen scouting the area before the gang moved in.
“Our investigation revealed that Uzoamaka played a crucial role in this operation,” said a police source. “He was seen in the footage ensuring the coast was clear before the gang moved in.”
Notorious Sharpshooter
Uzoamaka, who has now been identified as a key member of the gang, was known in criminal circles for his exceptional marksmanship and specialized training in arms handling.
His reputation as one of the sharpest shooters in the criminal underworld was well-known, but his connection to the kidnappings in Lagos had gone unnoticed until now.
“He was known as one of the sharpest shooters in the criminal world,” said another police official.
“His skills were highly regarded, but we had no idea he was connected to the kidnappings in Lagos until now.”
During the Ladipo Market operation, Uzoamaka fired the first shot when a decoy car blocked the gang’s path.
The shot, intended to intimidate and eliminate anyone obstructing their escape, struck the car’s headrest but narrowly missed an officer.
“The shot he fired was intended to intimidate and eliminate anyone obstructing their escape,” explained CSP Oni. “It struck the car’s headrest but narrowly missed our officer.”
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the gang’s operations continues, with detectives working tirelessly to identify all victims involved in the Ladipo raid.
However, the reluctance of families of the deceased to come forward has posed challenges.
“We’re working tirelessly to uncover the full extent of the gang’s operations,” stated a police insider.
“It’s clear that many have been hiding information, but we’re confident that further investigation will expose everything and reveal the complete truth.”
