The Ondo State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers and two okada riders aiding them in terrorising parts of the state in the last few weeks
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi announced this while parading the suspects to newsmen in Akure.
The Commissioner said the suspected kidnappers are; Abdullahi Mallam Bala, Umaru Abubakar Sanda and Yusuf Ahmadu, while the duo of Ridwan Salisu and Umar Isyaku, were apprehended in connection with various kidnapping cases recorded recently in Ondo State.
The Police Boss named the two Okada riders who aiding the kidnappers with foods and logistics, as Lekan Temitope a.k.a legelege and Komolafe Sunday a.k.a Veego, noting that the police recorded the success with full collaboration of local vigilantes and hunters.
Afolabi disclosed that many suspects had been apprehended over kidnapping in the state but the police tactical team was still working on how to arrest more kingpin before making their status public, commending Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for making efforts to provide logistics and technical support for the Police command to tackle security challenges in the state.
ARREST OF WANTED KIDNAPPERS:
- On the 24th of February, 2025, joint effort of the Police and local Vigilantes at Owo led to the arrest of one Abdullahi Mallam Bala ‘m’ age 21 years, he could not give satisfactory account of what he was doing in the bush alone without being a normad or having any reason to be in there.
Further investigation revealed that he is one of the suspect on the run who is part of the syndicate of Ibrahim Dan Alh Umaru who was arrested earlier in the year and his name has reoccurred in kidnapping related cases.
- ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDANPPERS:
On the 22nd of February, 2025, the Police(Special Squad) through the use of technical support arrested one Komolafe Sunday a.k.aVeego ‘m’ age 39years. During interrogation, he confessed to be a motorcyclist who helps the kidnappers to get food for their victims while in custody and received money base on the number of people kidnapped.
He also serves as spy to inform them of movements along the road. The suspect led the Police to Akunu-Akoko and two suspects Umaru Abubakar Sanda ‘m’ and Yusuf Ahmadu were arrested, Umaru Abubakar confessed to be the one who guard victims in the forest when they were brought to base.
Further interrogation led to the arrest of LekanTemitope a.k.a legelege who is also a motorcyclist that works for the kidnappers.
- In the same vein, on 14th of March, 2025, the Police through coordinated intelligence led Policing arrested the duo of Ridwan Salisu ‘m’ aged 45year and Umar Isyaku ‘m’ aged 19, at Ipele ‘m’ in connection with a case of kidnapping. The sum of three Million Six Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Naira (₦3,614,000.00) was found in possession of the duo. Salisu claimed the money was for POS.
Investigation is ongoing to confirm if the money is a proceed of ransom paid by victims