Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Akure, Nigeria — The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious kidnap kingpin, Abdullahi Lawal, believed to be the leader of a gang responsible for several abductions in the Akoko axis of the state. Authorities described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks operating in the northern parts of Ondo State.
Police officials confirmed that the suspect was apprehended in Ikare-Akoko, located in Akoko North East Local Government Area, after months of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations by security personnel. The arrest was announced by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who stated that the suspect had been on the police watchlist for his alleged involvement in a series of criminal activities linked to kidnapping operations in the region.
According to the police, Lawal is a resident of Aderoju Camp in Ugbe Akoko town and was identified as the mastermind behind a kidnapping incident involving a farmer, Aremu Tijani, which occurred on August 18, 2025. The victim was reportedly abducted at his bush farm in the Ikare-Akoko area during an attack carried out by members of the gang.
Security authorities said the arrest followed sustained surveillance and intelligence-led investigations aimed at locating the suspect after he managed to evade arrest during an earlier operation carried out by law enforcement agents. During that previous encounter, security operatives had engaged the kidnappers in a tactical raid that resulted in the neutralisation of three gang members while four other suspects were arrested at the scene.
Despite being wounded by gunshots during the operation, Lawal reportedly escaped and went into hiding. Following the incident, the Ondo State Police Command placed him on an intelligence watchlist and launched a coordinated manhunt across several communities in the Akoko region to track his movements and possible hideouts.
Police authorities explained that the eventual arrest came after months of discreet surveillance and intelligence gathering by tactical units within the command. Officers were able to trace the suspect’s movements and successfully apprehend him in Ikare-Akoko, bringing an end to the search that had lasted for several months.
Investigators said the suspect has since made confessional statements during interrogation and is currently in police custody. Authorities indicated that he would be charged in court upon the completion of ongoing investigations.
The police emphasised that the arrest represents a major step in the campaign against kidnapping and other violent crimes within Ondo State. Officials noted that the Akoko axis has experienced security challenges in recent years, including kidnappings targeting farmers, travellers and residents in rural communities. Forested terrain and remote settlements in the area have often been exploited by criminal groups seeking hideouts and escape routes.
In response to these threats, the Ondo State Police Command has intensified operations across vulnerable communities. Tactical teams and anti-kidnapping units have been deployed to monitor suspected criminal networks and dismantle gangs responsible for abductions and violent attacks.
Authorities also credited community cooperation and intelligence sharing as key factors that contributed to the success of the operation. According to the police, information provided by residents played an important role in identifying suspects and tracing the movement of criminal groups operating in the region.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, commended the officers involved in the operation, describing their actions as evidence of professionalism and resilience in the fight against crime. He also acknowledged members of the public who continue to support law enforcement agencies by providing useful information that aids security operations.
Police officials reiterated their commitment to eliminating kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state. They assured residents that proactive measures are being strengthened to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
Residents of the Akoko region have welcomed the arrest, expressing hope that it will weaken the activities of kidnapping syndicates and restore confidence among communities affected by the crimes. Security analysts note that arrests of gang leaders often disrupt the structure of criminal networks, making it more difficult for such groups to organise attacks or coordinate ransom operations.
Authorities have urged residents across Ondo State to remain vigilant and to continue reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. They stressed that community cooperation remains essential in sustaining the fight against kidnapping and other forms of organised crime.
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