The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three suspects and rescued three victims in connection with an alleged kidnapping incident captured on CCTV in the Oda area of Akure, the state capital.
The incident, which occurred around March 6, showed a woman being forcibly dragged away by armed assailants in front of her young child, who was left crying near the residential gate.
The video sparked widespread outrage and highlighted security concerns in urban neighborhoods despite the presence of surveillance cameras.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal, acted after the CCTV footage of the abduction circulated on social media.
“Acting on credible intelligence and investigative leads derived from the footage, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad carried out targeted operations which led to the arrest of one of the suspects.
“During interrogation, the suspect provided useful information that led to the subsequent arrest of two other accomplices believed to have played active roles in the incident and who were also captured in the CCTV footage.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects played various roles in the commission of the alleged kidnapping.
“They are identified as; Mohammed Koro ‘m’ aged; 27yrs, Muhammad Usman ‘m’ aged; 30yrs and Musa Alhaji ‘m’ aged; 23yrs,” the statement read.
The police confirmed that three victims—Tosin Adesida (F), Adeniran Adesuyi (M), and Adewunmi Adewusi (M)—were rescued and taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention.
Jimoh said the suspects have made confessional statements, which are aiding ongoing efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
He added that they will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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.
He 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.
The Command encourages residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and report any suspicious activity to assist ongoing efforts to ensure safety across the state.
