Ondo police arrest 10 kidnap-suspects, recover burnt N200 notes of suspected ransom
The Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command has dismantled a 10-man kidnapping syndicate operating in parts of Akure, the state capital, arresting suspects and recovering ransom, including burnt N200 notes,
The Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command has dismantled a 10-man kidnapping syndicate operating in parts of Akure, the state capital, arresting suspects and recovering ransom, including burnt N200 notes, during a coordinated security raid.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jimoh Abayomi, said the development in a statement, describing the breakthrough as a major success in the command’s sustained anti-kidnapping operations.
Abayomi said the arrests followed a joint mission involving the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section and Police Mobile Force personnel deployed by the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
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He explained that the operation, carried out on February 23, this year, was based on credible intelligence that led officers to suspected hideouts along Ondo Road in Akure South Local Government Area.
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Abayomi identified the suspects as Muritala Muhammed (22), Mustapha Adamu (20), Usman Ibrahim (25), Amisu Aruna (28), Asiru Abdulasis (20), Abduliu Sanni (22), Ibrahim Suraju (20), Noah Isiaku (20), Abdulahi Suraju (20), and Arabi Hamet (18).
He said the latest breakthrough followed a joint operation between the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section and visiting Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel deployed as operational support by the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Abayomi, who explained that the police command was intensifying efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks across the state, said an intelligence-led raid led to the arrest of the suspects.
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The Ondo police spokesman revealed that during the operation, officers recovered an operational motorcycle allegedly used by the gang, including ransom.
“During the operation, their operational motorcycle and ransom money was recovered from the suspects. Notably, part of the recovered cash comprised burnt currency notes, which are currently being documented as exhibits in the ongoing investigation.
“The suspects have made useful confessional statements, detailing the individual roles each played within the syndicate. Relevant exhibits recovered and are currently being processed for comprehensive investigation and further necessary action.
“The Ondo State Police Command is working assiduously to unravel the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and to identify and apprehend other accomplices who may still be at large,” he said in the statement.
However, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has reassured the residents of the state that the command remains committed to ridding the state of kidnapping and violent crimes.
Lawal asked the public to provide timely intelligence and strengthen community vigilance, noting that cooperation between residents and law enforcement remained critical to crime prevention.
He, however, urged communities to support credible vigilante groups to complement security agencies’ efforts across Ondo state.
