Police arrest 5 kidnappers, recover ransom in Ondo

The operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Jimoh said the suspects were arrested by the command’s special Anti-Kidnapping Squad following a report by a resident of Jerry Sawmill area in Ore, Andrew Yohana, at about 9:00 a.m  on May 12.

Jimoh stated: “Yohana reported that his two sons – namely Jehu ‘M’, aged 10; and Yohana ‘M’, aged 5, were kidnapped on their way to school by unknown persons.

“Upon receipt of the report, detectives of the command swung into action. The scene was visited and intensive intelligence-driven investigations commenced.

“Through painstaking technical intelligence, tracking analysis, and coordinated investigative efforts, operatives were able to uncover the identities and locations of the suspects.

“Consequently, the investigation led to the arrest of Taofeek Lukman ‘M’, aged 23; and Blessing Saturday ‘M’, aged 27, around the Alaba Area of Ore.”

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He disclosed that a sum of N251,000 suspected to be proceeds from the ransom was recovered from the suspects.

The police spokesman said an investigation further led detectives to another hideout linked to one of the suspects (Blessing), where an unregistered motorcycle suspected to have been used in perpetrating the crime was also recovered.

Jimoh added: “In the course investigation, additional suspects connected to the syndicate were identified and arrested.

“Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal syndicate and recover additional exhibits connected with the crime.”

He said the suspects had made confessional statements detailing their roles in the kidnap and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.