The Ondo State Police command has arrested eight suspected kidnappers, and six others for various criminal offences across the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, who paraded the suspect at the Command headquarters in Akure at the weekend said their arrest followed intelligence gathering and the use of technical support.
The CP who noted that the police also rescued one victim and recovered an AK 49 rifle explained that those arrested were aged between 20 and 40 years.
“On the 13th of February, 2025, through intelligence gathering and the use of technical support, One Aminu ‘m’ was arrested at Akure garage in Ikare Akoko. His arrest further led to the apprehension of Abdullahi Abubakar ‘m’ 25 years.
“In another operation that took place between 14th-15th of February, other suspects were arrested by the tactical team who had been on their trail; Yusuf Saidu ‘m’ age 22years, Nafiu Ibrahim ‘m’ age 32years, Mohammed Anas ‘m’ age 20years and Kabiru Mohammed ‘m’ age 24years.
“Also in Ipele, a woman was abducted by unknown gunmen in her house, the Police and youths of the town mobilised and followed immediately trailed the footpaths of the suspects. Their effort yielded positive result as they were able to rescue the woman and while searching for the assailants, they recovered an AK 49 rifle at the scene of the rescue.
“Subsequently, through intelligence led policing one of the suspects, Yusuf Suleiman, 27, was arrested.
“In the same vein, One Ishaku Abdul ‘m’ 40years was arrested by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) based on tip off. The suspect who is an ex-convict and recently released from correctional centre was suspected by the neighbours to be complicit in the recent uprising of criminal activities in the area. He was arrested at Aladura camp Oke-Oge, Osi, the area which recent kidnappings occured.”
The CP who stressed that all the suspected kidnappers have been on the wanted list of the police .
Besides, the police boss said the duo of Adekunle Saheed and Gafaru Adegoke were arrested robbery and diversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
“On the 25th of January, 2025, the special Anti Cultism Squad was alerted of incident of diversion of PMS meant for a filling station at Iworoko Ekiti to Divine Fruit petrol station owned by Mrs Yetunde Ayeni, Futa North Gate. Men of the squad prompted mobilised to the Scene and arrested the duo of Adekunle Saheed ‘m’ 48years and Gafaru Adegoke.
“During interrogation, it was discovered that truck was hijacked by one Matthew (Surname and address unknown) at Ile Ife/Ilesha road alongside Adekunle Saheed with one other. The driver and the motor boy of the truck was wounded and dumped in a bush along the expressway.
For cultism, he said on 14th February, 2025 the police arrested Gbenga Olanrewaju, 34, who was allegedly involved in the recent Owo cult clash following a coordinated intelligence.
“Olanrewaju who confessed to be a member of Eiye Cult group has been on the police wanted list due to his involvement in an attempt to kidnap at a filling station in Uso amongst other criminal activities across the state.
For motorcycle theft, he said, “On the 7th of February, 2025 two complainants came to the station in company of one Dayo Oluwagbenga ‘m’ 28years that the said Dayo robbed them and snatched their motorcycles. The suspect however ran out of luck when he was seen around Futa North Gate and subsequently apprehended by the complainant.
“The suspect during interrogation claimed he was robbed of his motorcycle and that was when he devised means to also rob others.
“He claimed he sold some of the motorcycles to Oyo, Ogun and Lagos State while he sold Three (3) to one Muntari Adamu (a scavenger) in Ondo town, the said receiver Muntari is currently in Police custody while effort is on to arrest other receivers.”
Afolabi said the personnel of the command arrested Temidayo Fadahunsi, 25, with 228 different types of android phones, and 23 foreign Sim cards but could not give satisfactory account of where and how he got them.
“On the 6th of February 2025, a case of stealing was reported to the Police. Through shared information, police swung into action and arrested one Temidayo Fadahunsi ‘m’ aged 25years at Ijoka area of Akure and the following items were found in his possession; 228 types of android phones, 156 different type of batteries and 23 foreign Sim cards, which he could not give satisfactory account of where and how he got them.”
The CP added that all the suspect will be charged to court at the end of investigation.
Fidelis David
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