Ondo police smash kidnap ring, arrest 10 suspects, recover ransom in Akure raid By Lai Gidado
Ondo police smash kidnap ring, arrest 10 suspects, recover ransom in Akure raid
By Lai Gidado
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered ransom money, including burnt currency notes, during an intelligence-led operation in Akure.
The breakthrough, recorded on February 23, 2026, followed a joint operation between the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section and visiting Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel deployed to the state as operational support by the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.
Operatives reportedly acted on credible and actionable intelligence, swiftly mobilising to locations along Ondo Road in Akure, where the suspects were apprehended.
The suspects were identified as Muritala Muhammed, 22; Mustapha Adamu, 20; Usman Ibrahim, 25; Amisu Aruna, 28; Asiru Abdulasis, 20; Abduliu Sanni, 22; Ibrahim Suraju, 20; Noah Isiaku, 20; Abdulahi Suraju, 20; and Arabi Hamet, 18.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspects are believed to be connected to a kidnapping syndicate operating within the state.
During the operation, the police recovered the syndicate’s operational motorcycle and ransom money.
Part of the recovered cash comprised burnt currency notes, which are being documented as exhibits as investigation continues.
The police said the suspects had made useful confessional statements, detailing the roles each allegedly played within the criminal network.
Relevant exhibits have also been recovered and are being processed for comprehensive investigation and further necessary action.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, assured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ridding the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He said efforts were ongoing to unravel the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and to apprehend other accomplices who may still be at large.
Lawal urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, stressing that community partnership remains vital in tackling kidnapping and related crimes.
He further emphasised that security is a collective responsibility and should not be left solely in the hands of the police, calling on communities across the state to organise and strengthen credible vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
The Commissioner reiterated that the Command remains resolute in its mandate to safeguard lives and property and will not relent in bringing perpetrators of crime to justice.
