By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Ore and surrounding communities in Ondo State.
The command also recovered suspected ransom proceeds and an operational motorcycle allegedly used by the gang.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh.
According to the statement, the breakthrough was achieved by operatives of the command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad following a complaint lodged on May 12, 2026, by one Andrew Yohana of Jerry Sawmill Area, Ore.
The complainant reportedly informed the police that his two sons, Jehu, aged 10, and Yohana, aged five, were kidnapped on their way to school by unknown persons who took them to an undisclosed location.
The police said detectives immediately commenced intelligence-driven investigations after visiting the scene of the incident.
Through technical intelligence, tracking analysis and coordinated investigative efforts, operatives were able to trace and identify the suspects.
The investigation led to the arrest of Taofeek Lukman, aged 23, and Blessing Saturday, aged 27, at the Alaba area of Ore.
During the operation, police recovered the sum of N251,000 suspected to be part of the ransom allegedly paid by the victims’ family before the children were released.
Further investigations reportedly led detectives to another hideout linked to the suspects, where an unregistered lady motorcycle suspected to have been used in carrying out the crime was recovered.
The command said additional suspects connected to the syndicate were later identified as Peter Moses, Sunday Isaac and Sanusi Dan Asabe.
Police authorities said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional exhibits linked to the crime.
According to the statement, the suspects had made confessional statements detailing their alleged roles in the kidnapping and would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and intelligence-led approach.
Ohagwu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.
The police commissioner assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property, while warning criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law.
The command urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid crime-fighting efforts across the state.
