The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two commercial motorcyclists who allegedly served as spies for kidnappers and supplied them with food items in forests across the state.
Confirming the arrests in a statement on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, described the development as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping. He reiterated the police force’s commitment to eliminating criminal elements from the state.
Ondo State has witnessed a surge in kidnapping incidents, with several victims abducted for ransom in recent months. However, Afolabi revealed that security operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters, have been making significant progress in dismantling these criminal networks.
Among the recent arrests was 21-year-old Abdullahi Mallam Bala, who was caught wandering in a bush and could not provide a satisfactory explanation for his presence. Investigations later linked him to a kidnapping syndicate involving two other suspects, Ibrahim Dan and Alahu Umar.
According to the police, Umar had previously been arrested earlier in the year for kidnapping-related offenses and remains in custody.
Further investigations led to the arrest of 39-year-old commercial motorcyclist Kolawole Sunday, who confessed to supplying food to kidnappers and acting as a spy for them.
The police also apprehended Umar Abubakar Sanda and Yusuf Almanac, with Abubakar admitting that he was responsible for guiding kidnapped victims into the forest.
Another suspect, Lekan Temitope, also known as Legelege, was arrested for assisting kidnappers with transportation and logistics, including purchasing food and other supplies.
On March 14, 2025, a joint operation by the police, local vigilantes, and hunters led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Rilwan Saliku, 45, and Usman Iyeakwu, 19, in Ipele.
During the operation, officers found ₦3.5 million on Saliku, who claimed to be a POS operator. The police are investigating the source of the money and his possible ties to ransom payments.
CP Afolabi reassured residents that the Ondo State Police Command remains determined to eradicate criminal activities in the region. He also expressed gratitude to the Inspector General of Police for equipping law enforcement with the necessary resources to combat crime effectively.
The command have arrested some suspects of Kidnapping in the state ;
— Ondo State Police (@OndoPoliceNg) March 18, 2025
1. Abdullah Bala,
2. Umaru Abubakar(guard victims while in custody)
3. Yusuf Ahmadu.
Komolafe Sunday and Lekan Temitope are commercial motorcyclists who serve as SPY and help get food for the Suspects.
