Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Carmen Diego
Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested at least ten individuals suspected of participating in a kidnapping syndicate operating in Ondo State, following an intelligence-driven operation that also resulted in the recovery of ransom money believed to be connected to previous abduction activities.
The arrests were carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the state command with tactical reinforcement from mobile police personnel deployed under the directive of the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun. Security officials said the deployment formed part of broader counter-kidnapping operations designed to disrupt criminal networks targeting rural travellers and residents across the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Abayomi Jimoh, the operation was conducted based on credible intelligence gathered over time regarding the movement and activities of a suspected kidnapping network along Ondo Road, a corridor previously identified by security agencies as vulnerable to criminal ambushes and abduction attempts.
Police sources disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at identified hideouts along the road axis after surveillance teams tracked their movements. The operation reportedly followed weeks of covert monitoring aimed at mapping the communication patterns and operational behaviour of the group. Authorities stated that the tactical approach was adopted to minimise collateral risk while ensuring the dismantling of the syndicate’s structure.
Investigators recovered an operational motorcycle allegedly used by the suspects during abduction missions. Security officials explained that motorcycles are frequently employed by criminal groups in southwestern Nigeria due to their ability to navigate difficult terrain and evade checkpoints established along major highways. The recovered vehicle is expected to undergo forensic examination as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Police also confirmed the recovery of ransom cash from the suspects’ possession. Some of the money consisted of partially burnt currency notes, suggesting possible attempts to destroy or conceal evidence before apprehension. The recovered financial materials are currently being catalogued and preserved as exhibits to support prosecutorial proceedings once investigations are completed.
The police command stated that preliminary interrogation has produced what investigators described as useful confessional statements from the suspects. Authorities said the suspects reportedly outlined their respective roles within the alleged kidnapping network, including logistics coordination, victim surveillance, and ransom collection operations. However, police officials stressed that the confessions will undergo verification and corroboration through independent investigative procedures before being relied upon in court.
The command further disclosed that intelligence analysis is ongoing to determine whether additional members of the syndicate remain at large. Law enforcement agencies are examining communication records, financial trails and possible accomplice connections to uncover the full operational reach of the criminal group. Security officers have emphasized that the investigation extends beyond the individuals currently in custody.
Kidnapping has remained a significant security challenge across several parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities where vast road networks and forested areas provide concealment opportunities for criminal elements. In southwestern Nigeria, law enforcement agencies have intensified patrol operations along major highways in response to recurring abduction incidents targeting commuters, traders and residents.
Officials within the Nigerian Police Force stated that the Anti-Kidnapping Section will continue conducting coordinated intelligence operations to dismantle remaining criminal cells suspected of operating within Ondo State. The command also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security forces in tracking fugitives linked to the syndicate.
Police authorities reiterated that the suspects are currently undergoing detailed interrogation and evidence-verification procedures. They emphasized that the presumption of innocence remains applicable until a competent court establishes criminal liability through due legal process. The command also stated that once investigation is completed, the case file will be forwarded to the appropriate prosecutorial authority for formal charging.
Residents along the Ondo Road corridor have expressed relief following the arrests, although community members continue to call for sustained security presence in the area. Business operators and transport workers within the locality have urged authorities to maintain patrol visibility to prevent the resurgence of criminal activity that could threaten economic movement.
Security analysts have described intelligence-led policing as increasingly essential in combating organized crime across Nigeria. Experts argue that syndicates involved in kidnapping often operate through distributed networks that require surveillance-based disruption rather than purely reactive response measures.
The Ondo State Police Command assured citizens that ongoing operations aim to uncover further criminal collaborators and ensure that victims of past abduction incidents receive justice. Authorities also warned criminal elements still hiding within the state to consider surrendering, stating that security agencies are expanding monitoring capabilities across suspected operational zones.
As investigations continue, the police have promised to release additional details once legal and intelligence procedures allow public disclosure. For now, the arrested suspects remain in lawful custody pending completion of inquiries and possible prosecution under Nigerian criminal statutes governing kidnapping, conspiracy and related violent offences.
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