By Ayodele Oni
The Ondo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its war against banditry and other criminals. The Command has burst some major hideouts used for unlawful activities.
It also announced the arrest of some suspected kidnappers and their footmen.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Wilfred Afolabi, made this known during an interaction with Journalists in Akure.
Afolabi disclosed that “On the 24th of February, 2025, joint effort of the Police and local Vigilantes at Owo led to the arrest of one Abdullahi Mallam Bala ‘m’ age 21 years, he could not give satisfactory account of what he was doing in the bush alone without being a nomad or having any reason to be in there.
“Further investigation revealed that he is one of the suspect on the run, who is part of the syndicate of Ibrahim Dan Alh Umaru, who was arrested earlier in the year and his name has reoccurred in kidnapping related cases.
“On the 22nd of February, 2025, the Police(Special Squad) through the use of technical support arrested one Komolafe Sunday a.k.aVeego ‘m’ age 39years.
“During interrogation, he confessed to be a motorcyclist who helps the kidnappers to get food for their victims while in custody and received money base on the number of people kidnapped.
“He also serves as spy to inform them of movements along the road. The suspect led the Police to Akunu-Akoko and two suspects Umaru Abubakar Sanda ‘m’ and Yusuf Ahmadu were arrested. Umaru Abubakar confessed to be the one who guard victims in the forest when they were brought to base.
“Further interrogation led to the arrest of LekanTemitope a.k.a legelege who is also a motorcyclist that works for the kidnappers.
“In the same vein, on 14th of March, 2025, the Police through coordinated intelligence led Policing arrested the duo of Ridwan Salisu ‘m’ aged 45year and Umar Isyaku ‘m’ aged 19, at Ipele ‘m’ in connection with a case of kidnapping.
“The sum of three Million Six Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Naira (₦3,614,000.00) was found in possession of the duo. Salisu claimed the money was for POS. Investigation is ongoing to confirm if the money is a proceed of ransom paid by victims
“As part of the Command’s effort to rid the State of all forms of criminality, the Command organized coordinated raids of areas in Ondo town through the Special Anti-Cultism Squad. The team busted various hideouts on the 15th of March, 2025, where the following suspects were arrested.”
He further revealed that during the raid four suspects were arrested.
“On 14th of March, 2025 one Samuel Friday was caught by members of the public vandalizing transformer along Ilu-Abo, Ogbese area of Ondo State and handed him over to the Police.
“During interrogation, he confessed to have been vandalizing electrical transformer since 2016 and that he has been jailed three times before he was finally released in 2018.
“He however confessed that he do sell stolen electrical cables removed from uncompleted/abandoned buildings to one Alhaji Abubakar A.k.a Abu Shisha and one Alhaji SheuSabo residing in Akure, Ondo State. Efforts is ongoing to arrest the receivers.
“Also, on Monday, March 18, 2025, midnight patrol team at Adinlewa apprehended one Iyanu John (male), a suspect whose specialty is in stealing and destruction of public infrastructure. The suspect was caught in possession of two stolen solar panels and was immediately taken into custody.”
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