The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate over the abduction of a school proprietor, Mrs Tomiola Oladehinde, in the Ilu-Abo community of Akure North Local Government Area.
Oladehinde was reportedly abducted last Sunday evening at the entrance of her residence after gunmen attacked her vehicle and whisked her away. She was released five days later.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, the suspects were arrested following intelligence-led operations and collaboration with a local vigilante group.
According to the police, vigilant members of the Ilu-Abo community on January 29 apprehended one of the suspects, Abenaguna Muhammad, who was allegedly found in possession of criminal charms and subsequently handed over to the police.
Jimoh said preliminary investigations revealed that Muhammad confessed to being part of a kidnapping syndicate operating along the Ala and Ilu-Abo axis and admitted involvement in the recent abduction.
He added that the suspect identified the leader of the group as Lanre, popularly known as ‘Lanre Tomato’, alongside two others identified simply as Ojo and Pius.
The police spokesperson said the arrest followed intensive operations launched after the January 25 incident in which armed assailants attacked residents of Liberty Avenue, Ilu-Abo, shot one person, abducted another and injured two others.
Jimoh noted that the suspects were currently in custody, while investigations were ongoing to recover exhibits, uncover additional criminal links and ensure the prosecution of those involved.
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