Police arrest 10 kidnappers, recover ransom in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday said it had arrested no fewer than 10 persons in connection with kidnapping incidents across the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Akure.

According to the police, the suspects, Muritala Muhammed (22), Mustapha Adamu (20), Usman Ibrahim (25), Amisu Aruna (28), Asiru Abdulasis, Abduliu Sanni (22), Ibrahim Suraju (20), Noah Isiaku (20), Abdulahi Suraju (20), and Arabi Hamet (18), were apprehended on Monday in Akure, the state capital.

Jimoh explained that the arrests followed a joint operation between the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section and visiting Police Mobile Force operatives, who were deployed to locations along Ondo Road based on credible intelligence.

“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects believed to be connected to a kidnapping syndicate. During the operation, an operational motorcycle and ransom money were 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 statement read.

The police spokesman added that the suspects had made useful confessional statements detailing the roles each allegedly played within the syndicate.

He noted that the relevant exhibits recovered were being processed for comprehensive investigation and further necessary action.

He further stated that the command was working to unravel the full scope of the suspects’ operations and to identify and apprehend other accomplices who may still be at large.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebowale Lawal, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to ridding the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Meanwhile, the police had earlier arrested two other suspects over separate kidnapping incidents in the state.

According to a statement issued on Monday, the suspects were apprehended at Sabo Sango and Ilado Community in Akure North Local Government Area.

Operational motorcycles and other gadgets allegedly used in their activities were recovered, with indications that they belonged to a kidnapping syndicate operating in the state (Punch)