...N1.4m suspected ransom recovered as victim identifies suspects


The Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command, has arrested four suspected kidnappers linked to a violent attack along Liberty Avenue in Ilu-Abo area of Akure, which led to the death of a resident and the abduction of a woman.

The suspects were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-driven operation carried out by police operatives in collaboration with the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps.

Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

He said the arrests followed credible intelligence received by the command regarding the whereabouts of suspected kidnappers involved in the January 26, 2026 attack.

According to the police, the incident resulted in the death of one John Ofuduwa, while a woman identified as Oladeinde Tomilola was abducted by the attackers.

The victim was later released by her abductors after ransom was reportedly paid.

The police identified the suspects as Abdullahi Ismaila, 20; Babanyara Japi, 25; Babuga Abubakar, 25; and Adama Usman, 15.

Jimoh explained that security operatives received information that some suspected kidnappers had lodged in a hotel located behind Ado Garage in Akure.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the command’s tactical teams, alongside Amotekun personnel, stormed the location and arrested the suspects.

During the operation, the police recovered the sum of ₦1.4 million from the suspects, believed to be proceeds of ransom obtained from kidnapping activities.

The money has since been taken into police custody as exhibits as investigations continue.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime and admitted being members of a criminal syndicate operating around the Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo and Ogbese axis of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ondo State, adding that the police would continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies.