Law enforcement apprehends abductor, frees captive in Ondo

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The Ondo State Police Command on Wednesday said it had arrested one of a gang of kidnappers, Adegbenro Adeola, terrorising Akure, the state capital.

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The police, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on Wednesday, said the suspect was nabbed after the gang had abducted a man identified as Kayode.

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Jimoh stated that after the victim had been kidnapped, the police was alert and a team from the command chased them.

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Shortly after, the victim was pushed out of the car but one of the hoodlums was arrested while other members of the gang ran away.

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The PPRO said, “Ondo State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough with the successful rescue of a kidnapped victim and the arrest of one suspect in Akure.

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“On Tuesday, 5th May 2026, operatives of the command, while on routine patrol along the Oba-Ile axis of Akure, acted promptly on credible intelligence regarding a distress situation involving the occupant of a moving vehicle. The information indicated that an individual was shouting for help from within a red Toyota Camry.

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“Upon receipt of the report, the operatives swiftly mobilised and initiated a coordinated pursuit of the suspected vehicle. During the chase, the suspects forcefully ejected the victim, later identified as Kayode Alaba from the moving vehicle in a bid to evade arrest.

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“Undeterred, the police team sustained the pursuit, which culminated in the arrest of one suspect identified as Adegbenro Adeola, while other members of the syndicate fled the scene and the vehicle recovered.”

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According to the police spokesman, preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had earlier been abducted from his residence along Irese Road, Akure, prior to the timely intervention of the police operatives.

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“The victim has since been rescued and is currently receiving medical attention. The arrested suspect has provided useful information to aid ongoing investigations.

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“The case has been transferred to the Violence Crime Response Unit Akure, for thorough and discreet investigation, as well as intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing accomplices,”, the PPRO stated .

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The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely, credible and actionable information to police, as collective efforts remain vital in the fight against crime.

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Recall that on Tuesday, the Nigeria Police Force said it arrested six suspected kidnappers and rescued several victims in Kaduna State.

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The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Special Tactical Squad on April 3, 2026.

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