Police in Ondo State have arrested two Okada riders for allegedly supplying food items to kidnappers operating in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed that the arrest of the suspects and their collaborators was a major breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminals.
Thefrontrank reports that the State has in recent times been the flash point for kidnapping and killing of residents by bandits.
Speaking on the development, Afolabi revealed that security operatives recently arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abdullahi Mallam Bala, 21, who had been terrorising the state capital.
He explained that Bala was found wandering in the bush and, upon interrogation, failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for his presence.
He disclosed that further investigation linked Bala to a syndicate that included Ibrahim Dan and Alahu Umar.
“Umar had earlier been arrested by the police over his involvement in kidnapping activities in the state. He is currently in police custody,” Afolabi stated.
Similarly, a 39-year-old Okada rider, Kolawole Sunday, was apprehended during the investigation. He confessed to not only providing food for kidnappers but also serving as a spy for them.
Following further intelligence gathering, two more suspects, Umar Abubakar Sanda and Yusuf Almanac, were arrested. Abubakar reportedly admitted to being responsible for guiding kidnapped victims into the forest.
The police commissioner added that further interrogation led to the arrest of another suspect, Lekan Temitope, alias Legelege, also a commercial motorcyclist.
He said that Temitope was accused of assisting the kidnappers with transportation and buying food and other supplies for them.
“On March 14, 2025, the police, with support from local vigilantes and hunters, raided the bush and arrested Rilwan Saliku, 45, and Usman Iyeakwu, 19, at the Ipele area in connection with kidnapping activities,” Afolabi stated.
“Upon searching Saliku, we recovered ₦3.5 million. He claimed to be a Point of Sale (POS) operator,” he added.
The police boss assured residents of the state that law enforcement agencies remain resolute in their determination to flush out criminals.
He also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun for providing necessary operational equipment to enhance security efforts.
