The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended seven persons over the kidnapping of Mr. Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a member of staff at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
Police spokesperson, DSP Olusola Ayanlade, said a 45-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba of Akungba-Akoko, used his familiarity with the lecturer to monitor his movements.
“On August 4, he visited the victim’s home under the pretence of requesting a handset, but it was later confirmed to be a calculated ploy to study the victim’s activities and create an opening for the syndicate,” the command stated.
Investigators also named 42-year-old Ogungbemi Wasiu of Ikare as another key suspect.
According to police, he provided the Itel handset used to demand a ransom of N5 million from the victim’s family. “Although he claimed the phone was lost days before the incident, he failed to report the loss, which aided the criminal enterprise,” the statement read.
Five other suspects — Audu Shaibu (25), Ismaila Abdullahi (24), Nuru Bature (18), Usman Baba (20), and Yusuf Muhammed (23), all from Agopanu, Owo — were identified as those who carried out the abduction. Eyewitnesses said they also made direct ransom demands to the victim’s relatives.
The police command also moved to correct misinformation surrounding the case.
“Their arrest was the result of carefully coordinated follow-up operations based on credible intelligence, not during any alleged ransom-sharing activity,” the police clarified.
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