Police Arrest Four Suspected Kidnappers, Recover ₦1.4m Ransom in Ondo
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to the attack and abduction that occurred along Liberty Avenue in Ilu-Abo, Akure, and recovered ₦1.4 million suspected to be ransom proceeds.
The Command said the arrest followed credible intelligence which led operatives to a hotel located behind Ado Garage in Akure, where the suspects were reportedly lodging.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspects were identified as Abdullahi Ismaila (20), Babanyara Japi (25), Babuga Abubakar (25), and Adama Usman (15).
According to the statement, the suspects were arrested by the Command’s tactical teams in a joint operation with the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps.
“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of four suspects who were found in possession of the sum of One Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,400,000), strongly suspected to be proceeds of ransom obtained from kidnapping activities,” the statement said.
The police linked the suspects to the kidnapping and violent attack that occurred on January 26, 2026, along Liberty Avenue, Ilu-Abo, which resulted in the death of one John Ofuduwa and the abduction of a female victim, Oladeinde Tomilola, who was later released.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of a criminal syndicate operating around the Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo and Ogbese axis of the state.
The victim was also said to have positively identified the suspects and commended the police for their swift response and efforts that led to their arrest.
The Command noted that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities, while efforts were also being intensified to track down other members of the gang.
Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, robbery, cultism and other violent crimes in the state.
He added that the Command would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) and other security stakeholders in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to enhance security across the state.
The police also urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information that could aid crime prevention and the arrest of criminal elements.
