The Ondo state police command says it has arrested four suspected kidnappers linked to a violent attack and abduction that took place in January along Liberty Avenue, Ilu-Abo of Akure North LGA.
Abayomi Jimoh, public relations officer of the command, said in a statement on Friday that the attack resulted in the death of one John Ofuduwa and the abduction of Oladeinde Tomilola, who was later released.
Jimoh explained that the kidnappers were traced to a hotel in Akure and were arrested in collaboration with the Amotekun corps.
“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Abdullahi Ismaila (20), Babanyara Japi (25), Babuga Abubakar (25), and Adama Usman (15).
“During the operation, the suspects were found in possession of the sum of One Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,400,000), strongly suspected to be proceeds of ransom obtained from kidnapping activities. The money has since been recovered and taken into police custody as exhibits,” Jimoh said.
The statement noted that the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime. The abducted victim was able to positively identify the suspects and expressed appreciation to the command for efforts leading to their arrest.
“The command has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other related criminal activities within the state and possibly beyond.
“Efforts are also ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network and establish whether the suspects are connected to other previously reported kidnapping incidents in the state,” Jimoh said.