Ondo Police Nab 13 Suspects, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Fresh Crackdown on Crime
Akure, Ondo State — November 1, 2025
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects involved in various crimes, including cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, fraud, and burglary, across different parts of the state. The arrests were part of the Command’s intensified operations aimed at combating criminal activities and safeguarding residents.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Akure, where he outlined several recent operational breakthroughs achieved under the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
According to Lawal, the Command’s intelligence-driven and community-based policing approach has continued to yield positive results in curbing violent crimes and restoring public confidence.
Key Operations and Arrests
Cultism and Armed Robbery:
On October 26, 2025, operatives arrested two suspected cultists, identified as Lawason Munini and one other, in Ipele, Owo Local Government Area. A pump-action gun was recovered from them. The suspects confessed to belonging to a cult group known as the Malians Club, which operates from a hideout along Ipele Road. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members.
Kidnap Rescue and Firearms Recovery:
The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit rescued three victims abducted along the Oka–Akungba axis after a gun battle with kidnappers. One of the kidnappers was neutralized, while others escaped with injuries. Two locally-made pistols, cartridges, and personal items belonging to the victims were recovered.
Cyber Fraud and Identity Theft:
One Ayodeji Oluwapelumi Samuel was arrested for hacking into the WhatsApp account of a retired senior police officer and defrauding her contacts of over ₦1 million. Detectives traced the transactions through a PalmPay account and tracked the suspect to Edo State, where he was apprehended. His accomplices remain at large.
Commercial Fraud and Theft:
Two suspects, Kazeem Olabintan and Akeem Olayiwola, were arrested for defrauding a motorcycle dealer of twelve motorcycles worth ₦19 million under false pretenses of installment purchases. The suspects are currently in custody, assisting investigators.
Burglary in Akure:
On October 27, 2025, police arrested two suspected burglars, Ogunjimi Blessing and Mayowa Alonge, who allegedly broke into a residence in Akure and stole electrical materials and equipment worth over ₦3.3 million. Recovered items include an Elepaq generator, electrical wires, and a toy gun.
Advance Fee Fraud:
A 29-year-old man, Adekugbe Moses, was apprehended for defrauding an engineer of ₦10 million under the guise of supplying laboratory equipment. The suspect admitted to the crime during interrogation and will soon face prosecution.
Livestock Theft:
The State Enforcement Unit intercepted a Nissan Primera conveying seven stolen goats at Segede, Ondo Town. The driver, Adewale Olafusi, and passenger, Akinmuyiwa Tope, confessed to the crime, leading to the arrest of two receivers, Usman Muritala and Ebenezer Akinnagbe.
Recovered Exhibits
Items recovered during the operations include:
One pump-action gun
Two locally-made pistols and expended cartridges
Mobile phones
Electrical materials valued at ₦3.3 million
A toy gun and criminal charm
Seven live goats
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Public Safety
CP Adebowale Lawal emphasized that the arrests reflect the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, community cooperation, and quick operational response.
He lauded the support of Ondo residents and reaffirmed the Command’s determination to ensure a crime-free environment.
“Our focus remains on ridding the state of criminal elements and ensuring that every law-abiding citizen lives and works in peace,” the Commissioner said. “We will continue to leverage technology, intelligence, and community partnerships to keep Ondo State safe.”
Summary of Operations
Total suspects arrested: 13
Major crimes tackled: Cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, fraud, burglary, livestock theft
Recovered exhibits: Firearms, electrical materials, livestock, and other stolen items
Police Launch Manhunt After Arrest of Five Suspects in Ondo Forest Raid
Also, Ondo State Police Command has intensified efforts to apprehend two fleeing suspects following the arrest of five others linked to a violent incident near the Ipele -Ifon axis of the state.
Commissioner of Police, Lawal October, confirmed that the suspects were arrested during a massive bush-combing operation launched shortly after the attack. He said a locally made single-barrel gun was recovered from the scene.
“Shortly after the incident, intelligence revealed that the suspects fled towards the forest. Given the terrain of the Ipele–Ifon area, it was a major challenge, but our men embarked on an aggressive bush combing that led to the arrest of five suspects,” CP Lawal said.
He assured residents that the command is working “assiduously” to locate and arrest the remaining culprits, emphasizing the danger of allowing the recovered weapon to remain in circulation.
The Commissioner expressed appreciation to residents for their cooperation and urged the public to continue providing credible information.
“I want to thank the good people of the area and the state at large for their support. Anyone with useful information should come forward — their identity will be treated with strict confidentiality,” he assured.
Police sources say operations are ongoing in identified hotspots as officers continue to track the remaining suspects.
