Kidnappers Asleep As 55-Year-Old Victim Escapes Ondo Hideout

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers after a 55-year-old kidnap victim escaped from his captors’ hideout while they were asleep in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, identified as Idowu Alade, was abducted at Aroge Camp, near Idoani, on August 21 at about 6:00 p.m. after leaving his residence to purchase a network recharge card.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said Alade’s failure to return home prompted members of the community to launch a search for him the following morning before the matter was reported at the Idoani Police Division.

According to him, police operatives, working with personnel of the Amotekun Corps, vigilante group and local hunters, immediately commenced an intensive search and bush-combing operation to locate the victim.

Jimoh said the victim escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout at about 4:00 a.m. on August 23 while his captors were reportedly asleep.

He eventually emerged through the Ifira area, where security operatives, acting on credible intelligence, located and secured him before taking him for medical attention over injuries allegedly sustained during his ordeal.

Following the escape, the police placed the axis on red alert, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Usman Shaibu, 25, and Sanni Musa, 27, by a patrol team from the Isua Division at about 2:15 p.m. the same day.

Jimoh said that after regaining sufficient strength to assist the investigation, Alade positively identified the two suspects as those who allegedly abducted him on August 21 during a formal identification process at the police station.

The Command also disclosed that the victim’s mobile phone was recovered from the suspects, who allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime and provided information on other suspected members of the kidnapping network, including an alleged accomplice reportedly based in Auchi.

Jimoh said the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had directed that the suspects and the case file be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for discreet and comprehensive investigation.

He added that the move was aimed at identifying and arresting other members of the alleged criminal network.