By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
Ondo State Police Command has recorded a wave of successes in its ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal activities across the state.
This feat, the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, announced at a press briefing in Akure, enumerating series of arrests, rescues, and weapon recoveries.
CP Afolabi disclosed that in the early hours of the day, a coordinated operation between police operatives and local hunters in Ikare led to the dramatic rescue of a kidnap victim, Ogunniyi Semiu, who was abducted on May 14, near the Ikare Mine in Akoko North-East.
The team, he said, acting on precise intelligence, intercepted the suspects at Supare Mine, where a fierce gun battle ensued.
Several kidnappers were believed to have sustained injuries, while one suspect, Babuga Muhammed from Oyo State, was apprehended and is currently receiving treatment for gunshot wounds.
He revealed that Semiu was rescued unharmed, and no ransom was paid.
Further deepening its crackdown on kidnapping, the Command announced the arrest of three suspected kidnappers: Ibrahim Umar (25), nabbed at Sabo Soja, Owo; Paul Osanyinduro (38), arrested at a local restaurant in Owo; and Abubakar Bamoh (30), apprehended at a Fulani camp in Igbara-Oke Mine.
Bamoh, from Kebbi State, is alleged to be a key logistics provider for interstate kidnapping syndicates.
His confession revealed links to a kidnapping case in Osun State, where the victim was held hostage in the Igbara-Oke forest.
Recovered items from his base included a Tecno mobile phone and a solar panel used to power communication devices in the bush.
Tactical units have since launched follow-up operations to track down remaining gang members and recover additional evidence.
In the fight against cultism, police in Owo arrested two suspected members of the Eye Cult Group.
On May 15, Aliu Raymond (42) was apprehended at Isuada following intelligence reports.
He confessed to multiple crimes, including a recent attack on a motorcycle rider.
Another suspect, Olaoluwa Olootu (27), was also arrested in connection with the same group.
The police have vowed to dismantle cult networks in collaboration with community youth groups and traditional leaders.
Meanwhile, armed robbery incidents were met with swift police response.
At Yaba, in Ondo City, two victims were shot by four masked robbers who made away with a motorcycle.
A cut-to-size single barrel gun was recovered at the scene.
In a separate incident on May 6, in Akure, a man was robbed of his motorcycle and beaten with a hammer.
Investigators traced a mobile phone dropped at the scene, leading to the arrest of two suspects, including Hasminu Jibirimi, who admitted to the crime and revealed that stolen bikes were sent northward via a middleman named Yahaya.
The Command also intervened to avert a looming communal crisis between Isua Akoko and Sosan Akoko communities, where land disputes had threatened to escalate.
A peace dialogue was convened with traditional rulers and Fulani leaders, resulting in a truce.
CP Afolabi reiterated that “no grievance justifies violence” and urged all parties to embrace peaceful resolution.
In a final stroke of success, two suspected car thieves, Hammed Olabode (35) and Adegoke Olayemi (45), were arrested after stealing multiple vehicles across the state.
Two Volkswagen Vento cars have been recovered, alongside three stolen motorcycles.
In total, twelve suspects were arrested for crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and vehicle theft.
Recovered items include three firearms, a cut-to-size pistol, an AA round of ammunition, two vehicles, three motorcycles, one mobile phone, and a solar panel.
Commissioner Afolabi assured the public that the Ondo State Police Command remains committed to professionalism and impartiality in its mission to protect lives and property.
He urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and continue supporting law enforcement in their bid to ensure lasting peace and security across the state.
