The Ondo State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of two children in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The command said operatives of its Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad also recovered part of the alleged ransom proceeds and a motorcycle suspected to have been used during the operation.
According to the police, the breakthrough followed a complaint lodged on May 12, 2026, by one Andrew Yohana of the Jerry Sawmill area in Ore, who reported that his two sons, identified simply as Jehu, 10, and Yohana, 5, were abducted while on their way to school by unknown persons.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that detectives immediately launched an intelligence-driven investigation after the incident was reported.
He explained that the operation involved technical intelligence gathering, tracking analysis and coordinated surveillance, which eventually led to the identification and arrest of some members of the syndicate.
The statement noted that two suspects, Taofeek Lukman, 23, and Blessing Saturday, 27, were arrested around the Alaba area of Ore.
According to the command, the sum of N251,000, suspected to be part of the ransom allegedly collected from the victims’ family before the children were released, was recovered from the suspects.
The police further stated that operatives later raided another hideout linked to one of the suspects, where an unregistered lady motorcycle allegedly used in carrying out the crime was recovered.
The command added that further investigations led to the identification and arrest of three additional suspects identified as Peter Moses, 25; Sunday Isaac, 23; and Sanusi Dan Asabe, 37.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover more exhibits connected to the case.
The statement added that the arrested suspects had allegedly made confessional statements regarding their roles in the abduction and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ondo State.
Ohagwu also applauded the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for what he described as sustained support, strategic leadership and investment in intelligence-led policing nationwide.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would continue to intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property while urging members of the public to support security agencies with credible and timely information.
