Police in Ogun State have arrested a man suspected of kidnapping children in the Ijebu-Ode area.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Onoriode Augustine, was presented to the public on Friday at the state police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, explained that while Augustine is in custody, another suspect named Akpan remains on the run. Alamutu shared that Augustine confessed during questioning to kidnapping over ten children, all of whom were later returned to their families after ransoms were paid.
“The state has largely remained peaceful, with the recent arrest of one Onoriode Augustine,” said Alamutu. “The suspect and his accomplice, who is still at large, have been targeting children for their kidnapping operations.”
The Commissioner revealed that Augustine and his partner used deceptive methods, such as pretending to rent batteries or looking for apartments, to get close to children. Alamutu detailed one case from September where they kidnapped two children, Adeogun Oluwasegun and Jonathan Favour, in Ijebu-Ode.
He added, “Since they began this illegal activity, they have taken more than ten children, who were subsequently returned to their families after ransoms were paid.”
The police are now continuing their search for Akpan and urge the public to report any suspicious activity that could help bring the other suspect to justice.
