In a noteworthy breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in Ondo State, the police have arrested several individuals, including commercial motorcyclists, who were allegedly supplying food to kidnappers operating in the state. This comes as part of a broader effort to curb the increasing menace of kidnapping, which has plagued many parts of Ondo in recent months.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a significant threat in Ondo State, with criminals increasingly targeting both residents and travelers. Kidnappers often demand large ransoms, causing untold suffering for families and communities. In response to this growing threat, the Ondo State Police Command has intensified efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates operating across the state.
Over the past few months, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, have conducted several operations aimed at disrupting the criminal networks involved in abductions. These operations have led to the arrest of a number of suspects and the recovery of ransom payments, food supplies, and other critical evidence linking individuals to kidnapping activities.
On Monday, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, briefed journalists about the recent arrests and outlined the progress made in their efforts to tackle the kidnapping threat. One of the significant arrests occurred when 21-year-old Abdullahi Mallam Bala was captured in a forested area around the state capital. Bala was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for his presence in the area, and further investigation revealed that he was part of a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating in Ondo State.
During the investigation, the police uncovered that Bala was working alongside other members of the syndicate, including two men named Ibrahim Dan and Alahu Umar. Umar, who had been arrested earlier in the year for his involvement in other kidnapping cases, is currently in custody, reinforcing the idea that kidnapping rings often reassemble after being dismantled by law enforcement.
In an interesting twist to the investigation, the police also arrested 39-year-old Kolawole Sunday, a commercial motorcyclist, who played a crucial role in supporting the kidnapping syndicates. Sunday admitted to supplying food and acting as an informant for the kidnappers. His job involved monitoring movements and tipping off the criminal group about the movements of potential victims. His involvement highlights the increasing role that commercial motorcyclists, known locally as “Okada riders,” are playing in aiding criminal activities such as kidnapping.
Further investigations revealed more connections between commercial motorcyclists and kidnapping rings. The police arrested two additional suspects—Umar Abubakar Sanda and Yusuf Almanac—who were found to have been guiding kidnapped victims through forests and ensuring their captivity.
Another key figure, Lekan Temitope, known as Legelege, was also arrested. Temitope, a commercial motorcyclist, was responsible for transporting food supplies to the kidnappers’ hideouts. Additionally, he is believed to have assisted in moving the victims to different locations within the forest to evade detection by law enforcement.
On March 14, 2025, the Ondo State Police Command, supported by local vigilantes and hunters, carried out a major raid in the Ipele area. The operation led to the arrest of two more suspects: 45-year-old Rilwan Saliku and 19-year-old Umar Isyaku. A search of their hideout revealed ₦3.5 million in cash, which Saliku claimed was from his Point of Sale (POS) business.
However, police are now investigating the true source of the money, as they suspect that it may have been ransom money collected from kidnapping activities. The discovery of the large sum of money has raised further concerns about the financial infrastructure that supports these criminal networks.
Commissioner of Police Wilfred Afolabi addressed the public after the arrests, assuring citizens that the police remain committed to eradicating kidnapping syndicates and other criminal elements from Ondo State. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between law enforcement, local vigilantes, and the general public in combating crime.
“The arrests we have made send a strong message to criminals that Ondo State will not be a safe haven for kidnappers and their supporters,” Afolabi said. He also commended the efforts of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for equipping the Ondo State Police Command with the necessary tools and resources to carry out successful operations.
The police are continuing their efforts to gather intelligence and disrupt the operations of kidnapping syndicates, with a particular focus on their financial networks. The use of commercial motorcyclists in these criminal operations has raised concerns, and law enforcement agencies are considering new measures to monitor and regulate the activities of Okada riders to prevent further involvement in illegal activities.
As part of their ongoing efforts, the police have called on residents of Ondo State to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. They have also urged the public to cooperate with security agencies to provide timely information that could assist in ongoing operations.
The state police are working closely with local communities to improve intelligence-gathering efforts and to prevent the resurgence of kidnapping networks in the region. With the support of local vigilantes and hunters, law enforcement agencies hope to disrupt the criminal operations and restore safety to the state.
