…arrest 13, recover firearms and stolen items
By Bukola Olamona
The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled major kidnap and fraud syndicates operating across the state, arresting 13 suspects involved in various crimes including cultism, burglary and livestock theft.
Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who disclosed this while parading the suspects in Akure, said the arrests were achieved through intelligence-led operations and sustained community collaboration.
He said the Command’s proactive measures had yielded significant breakthroughs in its campaign against organised crime, with the recovery of firearms, stolen goods and other incriminating items.
Lawal said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit foiled a kidnap attempt along the Oka–Akungba axis, rescuing three victims following a fierce gun duel with their abductors.
“One of the kidnappers was neutralised during the encounter, while others fled with gunshot injuries. Two locally-made pistols, spent cartridges, mobile phones and other items were recovered. The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families,” the CP stated.
In another operation, two suspected cultists, Lawason Munini and one accomplice, were arrested in Ipele, Owo Local Government Area.
Lawal said a pump-action gun was recovered from them, adding that they confessed to belonging to the Malians cult group. The suspects led the police to their hideouts in Ipele and Melege, though some gang members escaped.
Similarly, operatives arrested one Ayodeji Oluwapelumi Samuel for cyber fraud and impersonation. Samuel was said to have hacked into the WhatsApp account of a retired senior police officer and defrauded her contacts of over ₦1 million.
He was tracked and arrested in Ibillo/Ososo, Edo State, after detectives obtained a court order to trace the fraudulent bank account.
Two other suspects, Kazeem Olabintan and Akeem Olayiwola, were also apprehended for defrauding motorcycle dealers of twelve Boxer motorcycles worth ₦19 million.
The duo, who posed as genuine buyers, obtained the motorcycles under false pretence before disappearing.
The Command further arrested two burglary suspects, Ogunjimi Blessing and Mayowa Alonge, for breaking into the residence of one Adegboye Isiaka in Akure.
Recovered items included an Elepaq generator, assorted electrical materials, Energizer wire, and damaged POP ceiling materials valued at ₦3,390,000, alongside a toy gun and a criminal charm.
Also arrested was 29-year old Adekugbe Moses, who allegedly obtained ₦10 million from Engineer Adekunle Adesina under the guise of supplying laboratory equipment, including X-ray machines.
He absconded after receiving payment but was later tracked and arrested in Lagos, where he confessed to the crime.
On October 28, police operatives intercepted a Nissan Primera vehicle loaded with seven stolen live goats at Segede, Ondo Town. Two suspects, Adewale Olafusi and Akinmuyiwa Tope, were arrested, leading to the capture of two receivers, Usman Muritala and Ebenezer Akinnagbe.
Recovered exhibits include one pump-action gun, two locally-made pistols, expended cartridges, mobile phones, an Elepaq generator, electrical materials valued in millions, a toy gun, a criminal charm and seven live goats.
Lawal reaffirmed the Command’s determination to rid Ondo State of criminal elements through continuous intelligence gathering and community-driven policing.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, assuring that the Command would sustain its momentum to ensure peace and safety across the state.