The Ondo State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
The arrests followed a discreet, intelligence-driven operation by operatives of the Command, which uncovered the coordinated roles each suspect played in the crime.
Investigation established that one of the suspects, Benson Alaba (45 years) of Akungba-Akoko, a commercial motorcyclist who routinely conveyed the victim to his workplace, used his familiarity to spy on the victim’s movements.
On 4th August 2025, he visited the victim’s residence without prior arrangement, under the pretence of requesting a handset. This was later confirmed to be a calculated ploy to study the victim’s activities and create an opening for the syndicate. Shortly after his departure, other gang members moved in and abducted the lecturer.
Further inquiry revealed that Ogungbemi Wasiu (42 years) of Okeruwa, Ikare, provided the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family to demand a ransom of ₦5,000,000. Although he claimed the handset was lost on 2nd August 2025, he failed to report the loss to the police, a deliberate omission that aided the criminal enterprise. His role was critical in maintaining communication between the kidnappers and the victim’s relatives, thus facilitating the ransom negotiations.
The investigation also linked Audu Shaibu (25 years), Ismaila Abdullahi (24 years), Nuru Bature (18 years), Usman Baba (20 years), and Yusuf Muhammed (23 years), all of Agopanu, Owo, to the physical execution of the kidnapping.
Eyewitness testimony confirmed that these five suspects, acting in concert with Benson Alaba and under the operational facilitation of Ogungbemi Wasiu, participated in forcibly abducting the victim and directly demanding the ransom from the family during the incident.
The seamless coordination between Benson Alaba’s surveillance, Ogungbemi Wasiu’s communication support, and the aggressive role of the five field operatives clearly points to a well-organised kidnapping syndicate.
The victim is currently receiving medical attention at the Adekunle Ajasin University Health Centre.
The Command wishes to categorically dismiss earlier unfounded reports suggesting that the suspects were arrested while sharing ransom money. In reality, their apprehension was the result of carefully coordinated follow-up operations based on credible intelligence, and not during any alleged ransom-sharing activity.
The Ondo State Police Command strongly warns against the dangers of disinformation and misinformation, as they have the potential to mislead the public, undermine ongoing investigations, and erode trust in security agencies. False narratives not only distort the truth but can also embolden criminal elements by creating confusion and distraction from the facts. The public is therefore urged to verify information from credible and official sources before dissemination.
While the investigation into this case continues, efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing accomplices and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
The Command remains unwavering in its determination to dismantle kidnapping syndicates and protect the lives and property of all residents in Ondo State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, also seizes this opportunity to commend the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for his continuous support, strategic guidance, and morale-boosting initiatives. These have been pivotal to the successes recorded in the Command’s crime-fighting efforts, enhancing operational effectiveness and strengthening community confidence in policing.
