By Duchess Ifeoluwa
A 55-year-old man abducted at Aroge Camp, via Idoani, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, has escaped from his captors, leading to the arrest of two suspected members of the kidnapping gang.
The victim, identified as Idowu Alade, reportedly escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, while his captors were asleep.
He subsequently emerged through the Ifira area, where security operatives, acting on credible intelligence, located and secured him.
The Ondo State Police Command, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the victim was rescued after an intensive search operation involving the Police, Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, Ose Bravers Vigilante Group and local hunters.
According to the Command, Alade had been abducted on Friday, August 21, at about 6:00 p.m. after leaving his residence to purchase a network recharge card.
His failure to return home reportedly prompted members of the community to commence a search for him the following morning.
Following a report lodged at the Idoani Police Division, police operatives were immediately mobilised to the area and commenced a joint search and bush-combing operation with other security stakeholders.
The search operation continued until the victim succeeded in escaping from the kidnappers’ hideout in the early hours of Sunday.
The police said security operatives promptly established contact with Alade after receiving intelligence about his whereabouts and ensured that he was taken to safety.
He was also given medical attention for injuries allegedly sustained while in captivity.
The rescue of the victim subsequently triggered a wider security operation across the area, with the police placing a red alert on the axis in an effort to apprehend the suspected kidnappers.
The operation yielded results later on Sunday when a patrol team from the Isua Police Division intercepted and arrested two young men suspected to be connected with the abduction.
The suspects were identified as Usman Shaibu, 25, and Sanni Musa, 27.
They were arrested at about 2:15 p.m., several hours after Alade had escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The police said the victim, after regaining sufficient strength to assist the investigation, positively identified the two suspects during a formal identification process at the police station.
The victim’s mobile phone, which he reportedly had with him at the time of his abduction, was also recovered from the suspects.
The Command said the development had further strengthened the ongoing investigation into the abduction.
The two suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime and were said to have provided useful information about other persons suspected to be members of the criminal network.
The police also disclosed that one of the alleged accomplices is believed to be based in Auchi, Edo State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has consequently directed that the suspects and the case file be transferred to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The directive, according to the police, is aimed at unraveling the full network behind the abduction and apprehending other persons allegedly involved in the criminal operation.
The Command said the investigation would also determine the roles played by the arrested suspects and other persons identified in connection with the incident.
CP Ohagwu commended the police personnel involved in the operation as well as the Amotekun Corps, Ose Bravers Vigilante Group, local hunters and other stakeholders for their collaboration, which he said contributed to the successful rescue of the victim and arrest of the suspects.
He assured residents of Ondo State that the Police Command remained committed to confronting kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
The Commissioner further urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to assist them in preventing crime, protecting lives and property, and apprehending criminal elements.
He assured members of the public that all persons found culpable in connection with the abduction would be brought to justice.
