Four individuals suspected of killing businessman John Ofuduwa and abducting a woman, Tomilola Oladeinde, in the Ilu-Abo community of Ondo State, have been taken into custody by the police.
The suspects have been identified as Abdullahi Ismaila, 20; Babanyara Japi, 25; Babuga Abubakar, 25; and Adama Usman, 15.
Authorities said the arrests were made in cooperation with personnel from the State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps.
The incident occurred on January 25, 2026, when Ofuduwa, an iron rod trader in the nearby Oba-Ile community, was shot in the head by the suspects. The gunmen had reportedly set an ambush targeting Oladeinde as she drove into her compound on Liberty Avenue in Ilu-Abo.
During the attack, two bystanders—a woman identified as Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter—were also struck by bullets fired by the gunmen.
The abducted woman was released six days later after her family and close associates paid a ransom to secure her freedom.
Police Public Relations Officer Jimoh Abayomi said credible intelligence led to the arrest of the suspects at a hotel behind Ado Garage in the state capital, Akure. Authorities also recovered ₦1.4 million, believed to be part of the ransom, from the suspects’ possession.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime and are members of a criminal syndicate operating around the Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo, and Ogbese axis,” Abayomi stated.
He added, “Furthermore, the victim, Oladeinde, was able to positively identify the suspects and has expressed appreciation to the command for its response and efforts leading to their arrest.”
The Police command has launched a thorough investigation to determine the full scope of the suspects’ involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities across the state and possibly beyond.
“Efforts are also ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network and establish whether the suspects are connected to other previously reported kidnapping incidents in the state,” Abayomi said.
