Ondo Police Arrest 10 Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Ransom Cash

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested at least 10 suspects in connection with a series of kidnapping incidents across the state.

The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Akure by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh.

According to the police, the suspects, namely 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 following a coordinated operation in the state capital.

Jimoh said the arrests resulted from a joint intelligence-led operation by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section and visiting Police Mobile Force operatives deployed along Ondo Road.

“The operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects believed to be members of a kidnapping syndicate. An operational motorcycle and suspected ransom money were recovered during the exercise,” the statement said.

He added that part of the recovered cash included burnt currency notes, which were being documented as exhibits, while the suspects have made confessional statements detailing their alleged roles within the syndicate.

The police spokesman noted that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ activities and to track down other accomplices who may still be at large.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, reassured residents of the command’s resolve to rid Ondo State of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Meanwhile, the command had earlier arrested two other suspects in separate kidnapping cases. In a statement issued on Monday, police said the suspects were apprehended at Sabo Sango and Ilado Community in Akure North Local Government Area.

Items recovered from the suspects included operational motorcycles and other gadgets allegedly used in carrying out kidnapping operations, with indications that they are linked to a syndicate operating within the state.