Ondo police nab suspected kidnappers, rescue three victims

The police command in Ondo State says it arrested three suspects and rescued three victims in connection with an alleged kidnapping incident in Oda community, Akure South Local Government Area.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s spokesperson, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Akure, explaining that the suspects were captured on a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera.

Mr Jimoh said the arrest followed the circulation of CCTV footage on social media showing the abduction of a victim by suspected criminals in Oda Area of Akure.

“Upon receiving the footage, the command immediately activated its intelligence team, leveraging digital surveillance analysis and coordinated field operations to identify and apprehend the suspects.

“Acting on credible intelligence and investigative leads derived from the footage, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad carried out targeted operations, which led to the arrest of one of the suspects.

“During interrogation, the suspect provided useful information that led to the subsequent arrest of two other accomplices believed to have played active roles in the incident and who were also captured on the CCTV footage.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects played various roles in the commission of the alleged kidnapping.

“The arrested suspects are identified as: Mohammed Koro, ‘m’, aged 27 years; Muhammad Usman, ‘m’, aged 30 years; and Musa Alhaji, ‘m’, aged 23 years,” he said.

The spokesperson, however, said operational efforts culminated in the successful rescue of the three victims, who were debriefed and taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

According to him, the suspects have made useful confessional statements, which are aiding ongoing efforts to ensure the arrest of other syndicate members.

Mr Jimoh, therefore, said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The spokesperson also said the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Adebowale Lawal, reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to combating crime and criminality, emphasising that Ondo would not serve as a safe haven for criminals.

“The CP warned that regardless of where suspects choose to hide, they will be relentlessly tracked down and made to face the full weight of the law.

“He also reassures residents that the command remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.

“Lawal urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the police with credible and actionable information that can aid ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements,” he said.

Mr Jimoh, therefore, encouraged residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, assuring that proactive measures were in place to prevent and combat all forms of criminality within the state.

(NAN)