Ondo Police Nab Five Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Firearm in Owo–Ifon Forest Raid
28th October, 2025
Five suspected kidnappers have been arrested by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command during a midnight raid on Amurin Forest, along the Owo–Ifon axis of the state. A single-barrel gun loaded with a live cartridge was also recovered in the operation.
The suspects — identified as Friday Monday, Ashimi Wahab, James Odina, Ibrahim Idris, and Prince Areeh — were apprehended around 3 a.m. on October 26, 2025, following days of intelligence-led patrols and bush combing by the Command’s Tactical Teams.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the arrests were part of efforts to track down the killers of the late Supol James Ogunleye and recover his stolen service rifle.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, lauded the operatives for their professionalism and resilience. He ordered an expanded investigation to uncover other members of the gang and recover the deceased officer’s missing rifle.
Lawal reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, stressing that the Ondo Police will “leave no stone unturned” in bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice and maintaining peace across the state.
