By Duchess Ifeoluwa
Ondo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, following the arrest of three suspects linked to an abduction incident captured on Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in Oda, a suburb of Akure, the state capital.
The suspects, identified as Mohammed Koro (27), Muhammad Usman (30), and Musa Alhaji (23), were apprehended after the circulation of a disturbing CCTV footage on social media showing the forceful abduction of a victim by suspected criminals in the area.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the viral footage triggered an immediate response from the police, prompting the activation of the Command’s intelligence architecture.
This, he said, involved a combination of digital surveillance analysis and coordinated field operations aimed at tracking down those behind the crime.
He stated that investigations gained momentum as operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad acted on credible intelligence and leads extracted from the footage.
The PPRO said this led to the arrest of one of the suspects, whose subsequent interrogation provided critical information that enabled the police to apprehend two additional accomplices believed to have actively participated in the operation.
He pointed out that preliminary findings indicate that the suspects played distinct roles in the execution of the kidnapping, suggesting a level of coordination typical of organized criminal syndicates.
In a significant development, the police also confirmed the successful rescue of three victims earlier abducted by the group.
The victims—Tosin Adesida (female), Adeniran Adesuyi (male), and Adewunmi Adewusi (male)—have since been debriefed and are currently receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.
The Command disclosed that the suspects have made useful confessional statements and are assisting investigators in efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate who remain at large.
Lawal disclosed that the suspects are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling criminality and ensuring the safety of residents.
He stressed that the state would not serve as a safe haven for criminals, warning that law enforcement agencies would relentlessly pursue offenders wherever they may attempt to hide.
He further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation remains vital in combating crime.
