Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a chilling kidnappers’ hideout in a forest near Epinmi Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area. The hideout was found inside an abandoned building and features a deep underground pit reinforced with iron bars, believed to be used for holding kidnapped victims.
The breakthrough came after the Epinmi Vigilante Group provided key information leading police to the location. Following this tip-off, the Divisional Police Officer in Isua led a joint security team to the scene.
Two suspects, identified as 25-year-old Idowu Arohunmolase and 26-year-old Tosin Bada, were arrested at the hideout. Police recovered dangerous items including two locally-made dane guns, four cutlasses, four axes, assorted charms, and other weapons.
Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, confirmed the arrest and the discovery in a statement on Thursday. The suspects and all recovered items have been handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigations.
The police have assured the public that they are intensifying efforts to bring kidnappers to justice and will provide more updates as the investigation progresses. This discovery highlights the important role of local vigilante groups in supporting security agencies to fight crime in the region.
