…arrest Okada riders supplying food nabbed
…ex- convict arrested for vandalizing transformer
Detectives from Ondo State Police Command have arrested seven suspected kidnappers and their accomplices in connection with the recent kidnapping incidents in the state.
The arrested suspects include a 19-year-old, Umar Isyaku, who was in possession of N3.5m believed to be ransom paid by the family of their victims.
Isyaku was arrested alongside 45-year-old Ridwan Salisu, aged 45, at Ipele in the Ose local government area of the state in connection with a case of kidnapping.
Briefing newsmen in Akure, the state police Commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, said that the 19-year-old lsyaku was arrested on March 14, 2025, through coordinated intelligence-led Policing.
The Police boss said “The sum of N3.6m 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.
The Police Chief added that another wanted suspected kidnapper, Abdullahi Mallam, aged 21, has been apprehended by the Police and local Vigilantes at Owo.
He said “Mallam is part of the syndicate of Ibrahim Dan Alh Umaru that was arrested earlier in the year and his name reoccurred in kidnapping-related cases.
“Also, on the 22nd of February, 2025, the Police(Special Squad) through the use of technical support arrested one Komolafe Sunday a.k.a Veego age 39 years.
” During interrogation, he confessed to being a motorcyclist who helps the kidnappers to get food for their victims while in custody and received money based on the number of people kidnapped.
“He also serves as a spy to inform them of movements along the road. The suspect led the Police to Akunu-Akoko and two suspects Umaru Abubakar Sanda and Yusuf Ahmadu were arrested, Umaru Abubakar confessed to being the one who guarded victims in the forest when they were brought to base.
ALSO READ: Police nab female gunrunner, bandits’ drugs supplier
The Police commissioner disclosed that interrogation led to the arrest of Lekan Temitope a.k.a Legelege who is also a motorcyclist that works for the kidnappers.
He said as part of the Command’s effort to rid the State of all forms of criminality, four suspected cult members were arrested in Ondo town through the Special Anti-Cultism Squad.
The commissioner said a 28-year-old Babajide Awosika, a member of Eiye Cult, was apprehended during the raid of the group’s hideout along with Michael Peter, 18, and Kunle Akinwande, 28 years (AvehCult), and Akintemi Akinwunmiju age 30 years (AvehCult).
He said, “They all confessed to being a member of the cult group indicated against their names.
Afolabi said that an Ex-convict, Samuel Friday, was also arrested by members of the public vandalizing a transformer along Ilu-Abo, Ogbese area of the state, on March 14.
He noted that the suspect, “During interrogation, confessed to having been vandalizing electrical transformer since 2016 and that he had been jailed three times before he was finally released in 2018.
The commissioner who said that police detectives would soon arrest the named receivers added that all the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of their investigations.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then