How we arrested 13 suspects, rescued 3 kidnapped victims in Ondo — CP Lawal
Adebowale Lawal, the Ondo State Police Commissioner, at the weekend said no fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested
for alleged offences ranging from cultism, kidnapping, fraud, burglary, and livestock theft, in a renewed onslaught against crime across the 18 council areas of the state.
Lawal, who made the disclosure during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Akure, however, described their operations as a demonstration of the Command’s “rapid response capacity, intelligence-driven strategy, and partnership with local vigilante groups.”
According to him, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit successfully rescued three abducted victims along the Oka–Akungba axis after a fierce gun duel with their captors, where one of the kidnappers was gunned down in the operation while others escaped with gunshot injuries.
“Our officers engaged the abductors in a fierce exchange of gunfire, neutralized one, and rescued all victims unhurt. We also recovered locally-made pistols, expended cartridges, and personal belongings of the victims. They have since been reunited with their families.”
In a separate operation, he said two suspected cultists and armed robbers were arrested in Ipele, Owo Local Government Area, and a pump-action gun was recovered from them.
“The suspects, identified as members of the “Malians Club” cult group, confessed to being part of a 10-man gang operating from hideouts in Ipele and Melege communities. We are intensifying efforts to arrest other fleeing members and recover more weapons,” Lawal stated, emphasizing the Command’s commitment to stamping out cult-related violence across the state.”
In another case, he explained that detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department arrested Ayodeji Oluwapelumi Samuel, a suspected cyber fraudster accused of hacking the WhatsApp account of a retired senior police officer to defraud her associates of over ₦1million.
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The CP said the suspect was tracked through his PalmPay digital footprint and arrested in Akoko-Edo, Edo State, following an intelligence-led operation. He confessed to conspiring with others to commit the crime.
Similarly, Lawal said two suspects, Kazeem Olabintan and Akeem Olayiwola, were nabbed for allegedly defrauding motorcycle dealers of ₦19 million worth of motorcycles under false pretence of installment purchase.
“The Command also apprehended two suspected burglars, Ogunjimi Blessing and Mayowa Alonge, for breaking into a residence in Akure and carting away items worth over ₦3.3 million, including electrical materials and a generator. A toy gun and criminal charm were also recovered from them.”
Equally, the police boss said Adekugbe Moses (29) was arrested for allegedly obtaining ₦10 million from an engineer under the guise of supplying laboratory equipment including X-ray machines and digitizers which were never delivered.
“The suspect confessed to the crime and admitted he had no intention of fulfilling the transaction. The command intercepted a blue Nissan Primera vehicle loaded with seven stolen goats suspected to have been stolen from Osun State. Four suspects, Adewale Olafusi, Akinmuyiwa Tope, Usman Muritala, and Ebenezer Akinnagbe and were apprehended in connection with the livestock theft.”
