The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers in connection with a violent attack and abduction that occurred along Liberty Avenue in Ilu-Abo, Ondo State.
The incident, which took place earlier this year, resulted in the death of one John Ofuduwa and the abduction of a female victim, Oladeinde Tomilola, who was later released.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence.
According to the statement, operatives of the command’s tactical teams, working in collaboration with the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, acted on information that suspected kidnappers had lodged in a hotel behind Ado Garage in Akure.
The security operatives subsequently carried out an intelligence-driven operation which led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Abdullahi Ismaila (20), Babanyara Japi (25), Babuga Abubakar (25), and Adama Usman (15).
Police said the suspects were found in possession of the sum of ₦1.4 million suspected to be proceeds from ransom payments obtained from kidnapping activities.
The money has been recovered and taken into police custody as exhibits.
Preliminary investigations, according to the command, revealed that the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime and are believed to be members of a criminal syndicate operating around the Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo and Ogbese axis of the state.
The police further disclosed that the abducted victim, Oladeinde Tomilola, was able to positively identify the suspects and had expressed appreciation to the command for its swift response which led to their arrest.
The statement added that a comprehensive investigation has commenced to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities within and outside the state.
Efforts are also ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network and ascertain whether the suspects are linked to other kidnapping incidents previously reported in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping, robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.
He also emphasized that the command would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Amotekun Corps and other security stakeholders in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police to enhance security across the state.
The police therefore urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information that would aid in preventing crime and apprehending offenders.
Members of the public who are victims of criminal activities were also advised to present themselves for debriefing to assist ongoing investigations.
