Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested four suspected notorious kidnappers, believed to be involved in the killing of a businessman, John Ofuduwa, as well as the abduction of a woman, Tomilola Oladeinde, in the Ilu-Abo community, Akure North Local Council Area of the state.
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Ismaila, 20; Babanyara Japi, 25; Babuga Abubakar, 25; and Adama Usman, 15.
The police command disclosed that the four suspects were arrested in collaboration with the personnel of the State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps.
On 26 January 2026, Ofuduwa, who was in the iron rod business in the Oba-Ile community, a neighbouring village to Ilu-Abo, was shot in the head by the suspects, who had ambushed their target, Oladeinde, as she was driving into her compound on Liberty Avenue in the community.
During the violent attack, two other persons, a female identified as Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, who were passing through the area, were also hit by bullets fired by the gunmen.
The abducted woman was released by the kidnappers six days after her abduction, following the payment of ransom raised by her family and close associates.
While disclosing that credible intel led to the arrest of the four suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Jimoh Abayomi, revealed the suspected kidnappers were nabbed in a hotel where they had lodged behind Ado Garage, Akure, the state capital.
Following the arrest of the suspects, the sum of ₦1.4 million, suspected to be ransom proceeds, was found in their possession.
He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime and are members of a criminal syndicate operating around the Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo, and Ogbese axis. Furthermore, the victim, Oladeinde, was able to positively identify the suspects and has expressed appreciation to the command for its response and efforts leading to their arrest.
“Meanwhile, 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.
“The Ondo State Police Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to combating kidnapping, robbery, cultism, and other violent crimes across the state. The Command assures residents that all necessary operational and intelligence-driven strategies are being deployed to ensure that criminals have no safe haven within the state.”
The state had in the past months been faced with security challenges, particularly with incessant killings and kidnappings by gunmen, with the situation leading to protests in various communities.
