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The police in Ondo State apprehended seven suspected kidnappers and rescued one victim between February 13 and 15 across different locations in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, revealed this information while addressing journalists in Akure.
Afolabi indicated that the arrests were made following intelligence gathering and technical assistance, noting that those detained were aged between 20 and 40 years.
He mentioned that one of the suspects, identified as Aminu, was arrested on February 13 at Akure Garage in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area.
He elaborated, “This led to the subsequent arrest of another man, Abdullah Abubakar, aged 25. In an additional operation conducted between February 14 and 15, four more suspects were apprehended by the tactical team that had been monitoring them. Those taken into custody include Yusuf Saidu, 22, Nafiu Ibrahim, 32, Mohammed Anas, 20, and Kabiru Mohammed, 24.
“Additionally, in Ipele, Owo local government, a woman was kidnapped by unknown armed men at her residence. The police, together with local youths, swiftly mobilized and pursued the suspects' trail. Their efforts proved successful as they managed to rescue the woman and, during the search for the kidnappers, recovered an AK 49 rifle at the rescue site. Following that, through intelligence-led policing, one of the suspects, Yusuf Suleiman, 27, was arrested,” he stated.
Afolabi further explained that a 40-year-old ex-convict, Ishaku Abdul, was also detained by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) based on a tip-off.
According to the CP, the ex-convict had recently been released from prison, but neighbors suspected him of being involved in the recent surge of criminal activities in the area.
“The ex-convict was apprehended at Aladura camp Oke-Oge, Osi, the location where recent kidnappings took place. Meanwhile, all these suspects had been on the police wanted list,” Afolabi concluded.
