Ondo Police Arrest Over 300 Suspects, Rescue 40 Trafficking Victims in 2025
16th January,2026
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested more than 300 criminal suspects, rescued 40 trafficked foreign nationals, and dismantled several violent gangs across the state as part of its 2025 crime-fighting operations, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has said.
Lawal disclosed this on Monday in Akure during a New Year press briefing where he outlined the Command’s major achievements, operational strategies, and security milestones recorded in the past year. He attributed the successes to intelligence-led policing, improved community cooperation, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
According to the police boss, the Command recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of all suspects involved in the killing of two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, a development he said significantly boosted public confidence and citizens’ trust in the Police.
He also revealed that operatives of the Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS) rescued 40 trafficked Ghanaian nationals in Akure who were lured into Nigeria under false pretences, while three suspects linked to the trafficking syndicate were arrested.
Other notable achievements include the arrest of a suspected illegal arms manufacturer in Ileoluji and the recovery of several locally fabricated firearms, as well as the arrest of four suspects connected to a ritual-related incident involving a student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
Lawal said several repentant cultists voluntarily renounced cultism during the year and surrendered 36 firearms of various calibres, including pistols and locally made weapons, describing the development as a significant step toward long-term peace.
The Commissioner explained that upon assuming office, the Command faced a turbulent security situation, which prompted a comprehensive assessment of crime patterns across Ondo North, Central, and South senatorial districts. The outcome, he said, informed new operational tactics that have since improved police visibility, response time, and intelligence gathering.
He noted that proactive measures adopted by the Command prevented the spillover of criminal activities from neighbouring states such as Edo and Ekiti, adding that intelligence-driven raids across flashpoints led to the disruption of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, human trafficking, and sexual violence networks.
Among the high-profile operations, the Police dismantled an interstate motorcycle-snatching syndicate in Owo, recovered seven stolen motorcycles, and arrested key members of the gang. Anti-car theft operations also resulted in the recovery of seven suspected stolen vehicles, while a notorious kidnapping and ritual gang was neutralised in Ogbese through a SWAT operation.
The Command also intensified its crackdown on violent crimes in Akure, Owo, Ore, Ondo, Idanre, Ogbese, and Okitipupa, arresting suspects linked to burglary, armed robbery, cult violence, and unlawful possession of firearms. In Ondo West Local Government Area, an armed robbery gang was dismantled, including the arrest of an 87-year-old arms supplier allegedly linked to criminal syndicates.
In a historic peace-building initiative, Lawal said the Police successfully brokered reconciliation between rival cult groups in Ondo City, whose clashes had earlier claimed eight lives. He added that the initiative reduced the risk of reprisal attacks and strengthened community trust.
The Commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for their support, while also praising officers of the Command for their professionalism and gallantry. He stressed that while total security had not yet been achieved, sustained cooperation from residents remained critical to consolidating the gains recorded in 2025.
