The Ondo State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 10 persons suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities in Akure, the state capital.
The arrests came less than 48 hours after the command announced the apprehension of two other suspects allegedly linked to supplying food, drinks and logistics to bandits operating in parts of the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the latest breakthrough followed sustained crackdowns on kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ondo State.
The suspects were identified as Muritala Muhammed (22), Mustapha Adamu (20), Usman Ibrahim (25), Amisu Aruna (28), Asiru Abdulasis (20), Abduliu Sanni (22), Ibrahim Suraju (20), Noah Isiaku (20), Abdulahi Suraju (20), and Arabi Hamet (18).
According to the statement, “On February 23, 2026, following a combined operation between the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section and visiting PMF personnel approved and deployed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, as operational support to Ondo State, operatives swiftly mobilised to locations along Ondo Road based on credible and actionable intelligence.
“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects believed to be connected to a kidnapping syndicate.”
The police said an operational motorcycle and ransom money were recovered from the suspects during the raid.
“Notably, part of the recovered cash comprised burnt currency notes, which are currently being documented as exhibits in the ongoing investigation,” the statement added.
The command disclosed that the suspects had made useful confessional statements detailing their alleged roles within the syndicate, while further investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members still at large.
“The suspects have made useful confessional statements detailing the individual roles each played within the syndicate. Relevant exhibits recovered are being processed for comprehensive investigation and further necessary action.
“The Ondo State Police Command is working assiduously to unravel the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and to identify and apprehend other accomplices who may still be at large,” the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
He urged members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information, stressing that community partnership remains vital in combating criminality.
Lawal also emphasised that security should not be left solely to the police, calling on communities to strengthen credible vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
He assured residents that the command remained resolute in its mandate to safeguard lives and property across Ondo State.
