Law enforcement apprehends trio of suspects linked to high-profile Ondo abduction, frees captives

A significant breakthrough has been achieved by the Ondo State Police Command, with the arrest of three suspects and the rescue of three victims in connection with a kidnapping incident that was caught on camera in the Oda area of Akure, the state capital, on March 6.

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The disturbing incident, which was widely shared on social media, showed a woman being forcibly taken away by armed men in front of her young child, who was left crying near the residential gate, sparking outrage and raising concerns about security in urban areas despite the presence of surveillance cameras.

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In response to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, issued a statement on Sunday, revealing that the Command, led by Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal, took action after the CCTV footage of the abduction circulated on social media.

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According to Jimoh, the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Squad carried out targeted operations based on credible intelligence and investigative leads derived from the footage, resulting in the arrest of one suspect, who provided useful information that led to the subsequent arrest of two other accomplices.

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The suspects, identified as Mohammed Koro, 27, Muhammad Usman, 30, and Musa Alhaji, 23, are believed to have played active roles in the incident, as revealed by preliminary investigations.

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The police confirmed that three victims, Tosin Adesida, Adeniran Adesuyi, and Adewunmi Adewusi, were rescued and taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention, and that the suspects have made confessional statements, which are aiding ongoing efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

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Jimoh stated that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, and Commissioner Lawal reiterated the Command's commitment to combating crime in the state, warning that criminals will be relentlessly tracked and made to face the full weight of the law.

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The Commissioner also assured residents that proactive measures are in place to prevent and combat criminality, and urged the public to support the police with credible information to ensure safety across the state.

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The Command is encouraging residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and report any suspicious activity to assist ongoing efforts to ensure safety and security in the state.