The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, who allegedly worked as informants and logistics providers for kidnappers in the state.
The suspects, identified as Lekan Temitope and Komolafe Sunday, were paraded at the police headquarters in Akure, where they confessed to assisting kidnappers by supplying food to their victims and collecting ransom payments.
According to the Guardian, the Commissioner of Police Wilfred Afolabi said the duo’s confessions led to the arrest of two suspected kidnappers, Umaru Abubakar and Yusuf Ahmadu, in Akunu-Akoko.
Additionally, police operatives apprehended two other suspected kidnappers, Ridwan Salisu, 45, and Umar Isyaku, 19, who claimed to be Point of Sale (POS) business operators but could not explain how they came into possession of over N3 million.
The police commissioner further disclosed that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has approved the deployment of technical equipment to enhance security operations in the state.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has also pledged to provide necessary resources to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities.
“With these combined, we will have total and complete victory over the kidnappers,” Afolabi assured.
“The governor feels disturbed and concerned about security challenges. We presented what we need to get results, and he confirmed he will make them available. He has made some available already,” he added.
The police chief also called for stricter laws to curb the rising cases of kidnapping, emphasizing the need for harsher penalties.
“Kidnappers have become merciless. I subscribe to passing a bill to make the punishment harsher,” he stated.
