The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two men in connection with the brutal kidnapping and murder of Alaba Abe, a prominent politician and Coordinator of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation.
Abe, a respected member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was abducted in front of his home in Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area, in April 2024.
In a statement released on Friday, the police confirmed that the arrests were made by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command. The two suspects, identified as Mohammed Sheu, 21, and Abubakar Umar, 24, were apprehended following a series of coordinated efforts.
“The Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit intercepted a vehicle on November 14, 2024, at Ikare Junction. During a routine stop and search, one of the suspects, Mohammed Sheu, exhibited suspicious behavior, leading to his interrogation,” said SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the Public Relations Officer for the Ondo State Police Command.
Odunlami-Omisanya added that, during the questioning, investigators found a voice note on Sheu’s phone that revealed a conversation with an accomplice, now on the run. In the recording, Sheu lamented his financial struggles and hinted at his involvement in kidnapping activities to make money.
“This discovery led to his arrest,” Odunlami-Omisanya stated. “During further questioning, Sheu admitted to multiple crimes, including kidnappings and robberies carried out in various parts of Nigeria, such as Kogi, Niger, and several towns within Ondo State, including Akoko and Owo.”
According to the police, Sheu’s gang would carefully track their victims to their homes, kidnap them, and then demand ransom. The methodical nature of their operation made it particularly dangerous.
The investigation soon led to the arrest of Abubakar Umar, who, along with Sheu, was implicated in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Alaba Abe in April. The suspects reportedly kidnapped Abe from his residence in Supare Akoko and demanded ransom. Tragically, Abe was killed during the ordeal.
“The suspects have confessed that they were responsible for the kidnap that led to the death of Alaba Abe in April 2024,” Odunlami-Omisanya confirmed. “They also revealed their involvement in another kidnapping case in Owo in September 2024.”
The police spokesperson assured that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend other members of the gang. The arrest of Sheu and Umar has given investigators a crucial lead in solving the case.
The murder of Alaba Abe has shocked both the APC and the people of Akoko South West, who remember him as a dedicated and hardworking political figure. His untimely death has raised serious concerns about the growing threat of kidnappings and violent crimes in the region.
The recent wave of kidnappings in Ondo State has heightened public fears, with many calling for stronger security measures. The police have assured the public that they are committed to tackling the menace of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our people,” Odunlami-Omisanya said. “We will not rest until all those involved in these crimes are brought to justice.”
