By: Oluwatosin Adesola
The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended thirty-one suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, murderers and serial fraudsters in connection with recent crimes in the state.
Parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Oyeyemi Oyediran pointed out that four of the kidnappers were arrested for abducting a traditional head, Oniku of Iku-Ikare Akoko, High Chief Muakila Bello and three others on Owo-Ikare road recently.
The Police Commissioner noted that upon the receipt of the incident, men of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping Squad in synergy with that of Oyo State Police Command swung into action which led to the arrest of the suspects in Ibadan, while a 20year-old Boy, Abubakar Dangy who usually supplied kidnappers with guns for operations, was arrested in Owo.
According to Mr Oyediran, the suspects who were identified by one of their victims and they collected four million naira ransom before releasing the traditional head and others.
“ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS OF PURPORTED TRADITIONAL RULER :- On the 4th August, 2022, at about 1830hrs, based on information received that a gang of Kidnappers numbering about seven attacked a Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. KAK 818 AE at Ago-yeye, Along Ikare/Owo road and four occupants, (3 male and 1 female) were kidnapped and held hostage for three days in the bush.
“Upon the receipt of the complaint, men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in synergy with that of Oyo State Police Command swung into action which led to the arrest of the following suspects:- Ilyasu Lawal ‘m’ Aged 27; Mohammadu Abubakar Sidi ‘m’ Aged 26; Garuba Bature ‘m’ Aged 36; Abubakar Dangy ‘m’ Aged 20 and Mohammed Mosere ‘m’ Aged 25.
“Items Recovered: Three Barrel Guns
(b) Five live Cartridges, (c) Two Face Masks, (d) Two Jack Knives.
“During interrogation the suspects confessed to the commission of the crime and the suspect will soon be charged to Court.
“On the 25th May, 2022, a group of suspected Kidnappers numbering about five (5) waylaid one ‘Walid Dou’ a road contractor in Owo town and in the process killed a soldier, Cpl. Saidi Baba who was the security detail to the contractor and Abubakar Zakari (Driver to the victim).
“Forensic investigation by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad led to the arrest of one Yusuf Hamza ‘m’ who confessed to have participated in the crime and mentioned other suspects. He has been charged to Court.
“On the 7th August, 2022, at about 10:30pm, a complainant came to the Station and reported that his brother (names withheld) was kidnaped at Orita Odigbo, via Ore, the DPO of Ore led his team to the scene of crime together with the local hunters and one Joseph Audu ‘m’ Aged 35 was arrested,” the Police Commissioner said.
Other suspects were arrested in connection with different crimes that occurred at Danjuma Area, Oda road of Akure, Ore area, Owo-Benin highway and at Igbokoda where two persons were shot dead recently.
