Okada rider who took Ondo lecturer to work plotted his kidnapping — Police

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, over his alleged role in the abduction of a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Mr Samuel Omoniyi.

Alaba, who regularly transported the victim to his workplace, was said to have leveraged his familiarity with the victim’s routine to surveil his movements and facilitate his abduction.

The suspect, Alaba, was arrested alongside six others who played different roles in the abduction of the lecturer. He allegedly used his familiarity to monitor the victim’s movements and aid the abduction.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, the arrests of the suspects followed an intelligence-driven operation that uncovered the coordinated roles each suspect played in the crime.

He listed the suspects as Ogungbemi Wasiu, 42; Audu Shaibu, 25; Ismaila Abdullahi, 24; Nuru Bature, 18; Usman Baba, 20; and Yusuf Muhammed, 23, all of whom were linked to the physical execution of the kidnapping.

He explained that Ogungbemi provided the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family to demand a ransom of N5m.

The PPRO said, “One of the suspects, Benson Alaba, 45, a commercial motorcyclist from Akungba-Akoko who regularly conveyed the victim to work, used his familiarity to monitor the lecturer’s movements.

“On 4 August 2025, he visited the victim’s residence under the pretence of requesting a handset, a ploy police say was aimed at creating an opening for the syndicate.

“Shortly after his departure, other gang members abducted the lecturer. Investigations also linked Ogungbemi Wasiu, 42, of Okeruwa, Ikare, to the provision of the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family to demand a N5m ransom.”

The police said Wasiu claimed to have lost the phone on 2 August but failed to report it, thereby aiding the operation.

“The seamless coordination between Benson Alaba’s surveillance, Ogungbemi Wasiu’s communication support, and the aggressive role of the five field operatives clearly points to a well-organised kidnapping syndicate,” the PPRO said.

The police dismissed earlier reports that the suspects were arrested while sharing ransom money, stressing that the arrests were the result of coordinated follow-up operations based on credible intelligence.

The victim is currently receiving treatment at the Adekunle Ajasin University Health Centre, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his support and guidance, and warned against the spread of misinformation capable of undermining security operations.

The Ondo Police boss warned against the dangers of disinformation and misinformation, urging the public to verify information from credible and official sources before dissemination.

“The Command remains determined to dismantle kidnapping syndicates and protect the lives and property of all residents in Ondo State,” he said.

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