LAGOS—In a scene reminiscent of a thriller, the final conversation between Prince Henry Ode, a Nollywood actor and the leader of the recently neutralized Lagos billionaire kidnap gang, and another gang member stationed at the market has come to light.
Police sources disclosed that one gang member had been positioned within the popular auto spare parts market on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway to track their target's movements hours before the operation.
The gang member relayed minute-by-minute updates on the victim's movements and ultimately gave the signal to strike. Detectives from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad, led by Kehinde Oni, uncovered crucial digital and electronic evidence about their plans. This led to a confrontation in which the kidnappers were taken down.
The criminals had arrived at the market, unaware they were under surveillance by detectives strategically placed by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade. Intelligence revealed a voice-recorded exchange in Igbo between the actor and the unidentified gang member monitoring the victim.
Transcript of the Conversation:
Actor: How far, is he out now? Which road leads to that place, is it through airport or 7/8?
Member: I don’t know the road he uses. I am still watching him. Where are you people now? Have you taken off? He has entered his car, no time.
Actor: Do you know your problem? You are never calculative. You are a drunk. Drink will make you not achieve anything in life. So you have the compass about the man’s movement and you did not tell us earlier? Continue drinking. All I want is for you to give me the information I need. After we must have succeeded and given you your share, you can finish it on drinks, no wahalla. How many times did I call you? We don dey come.
Member: Please don’t be angry with me, no vex. You know how Ladipo is now.
Actor: Be careful and know how you are picking calls, be careful oooo.
Member: That’s what I am doing and you said I was drunk. I am always very careful. Please forgive me. I always step out each time I want to answer your call, biko (please).
Actor: No wahalla, just hold your phone steady. Monitor the guy. Let me know all his movement.
Member: I have heard, no wahalla.
Actor: We are on our way. We are at Bucknor.
Member: Where exactly are you people? What is happening? I need to know how far. The man is still there. I am still in the market. You know they are about closing for the day. I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.
Further investigations revealed how Prince Ode, the Nollywood actor, cleverly evaded arrest and public scrutiny after kidnapping their victims. Unbeknownst to his colleagues, Ode would hide his victims in a separate location, often assuming roles that involved handling weapons or acting as a lone operative.
Sources mentioned that some victims reported hearing rehearsal noises and loud conversations from where they were held. As of press time, detectives are still working to identify all the deceased kidnappers and uncover their backgrounds.
Authorities assured that the identities of the kidnappers would be disclosed soon.
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