Police Arrest 5 Over Kidnap Of Pupils In Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with the kidnapping of two pupils in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, identified as Jehu, 10, and Yohana, 5, were allegedly abducted while on their way to school in the Sawmill area of Ore.

Their father, Andrew Yohana, was said to have reported the incident at the Ore Police Station, prompting operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad to launch an intelligence-driven operation that led to the suspects’ arrest.

Police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said two suspects, Taofeek Lukman, 23, and Blessing Saturday, 27, were first apprehended in the Alaba area of Ore before three others were subsequently picked up following further investigation.

He added that operatives recovered N261,000 believed to be part of the ransom paid for the victims, alongside an unregistered motorcycle allegedly used in the operation.

The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and strengthen security in the area.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested five suspects linked to the kidnapping of two schoolchildren in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.

Police Public Relations Officer Abayomi Jimoh said the Special Anti‑Kidnapping Squad made the arrests following intelligence‑led operations targeting criminal networks in Ore and neighbouring communities. The incident was reported on May 12 by Andrew Yohana, who said his two sons, aged 10 and five, were abducted while on their way to school.

Detectives visited the scene and launched an intensive investigation that used technical intelligence, tracking analysis and coordinated operations. The probe led to the arrest of Taofeek Lukman, 23, and Blessing Saturday, 27, around Alaba area of Ore. The officers recovered N251,000 suspected to be part of a ransom paid by the victims’ family.

Further inquiries yielded another hideout linked to one of the suspects, where an unregistered motorcycle believed to have been used in the abduction was recovered. Additional suspects — Peter Moses, 25; Sunday Isaac, 23; and Sanusi Dan Asabe, 37 — were identified in connection with the syndicate, Jimoh said.

He added that the suspects had made confessional statements and would be charged to court when investigations conclude. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and recover more exhibits.

Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu commended the operatives for their professionalism and reiterated the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.