Police, Amotekun Arrest Four Over Akure Kidnap Attack

Police, Amotekun Arrest Four Over Akure Kidnap Attack
Suspected Kidnappers Linked to Businessman’s Killing
₦1.4m Ransom Recovered

The police in Ondo State have arrested four suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to the killing of a businessman, John Ofuduwa, and the abduction of a woman, Tomilola Oladeinde, in the Ilu-Abo community of Akure North Local Government Area.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the suspects were identified as Abdullahi Ismaila, 20; Babanyara Japi, 25; Babuga Abubakar, 25; and Adama Usman, 15.

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The Ondo State Police Command disclosed that the suspects were apprehended through a joint operation involving officers of the command and personnel of the State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps.

According to the police, the incident occurred on January 25, 2026, when the suspects allegedly ambushed Oladeinde while she was driving into her residence on Liberty Avenue in Ilu-Abo.

During the attack, Ofuduwa, an iron rod dealer based in the neighbouring Oba-Ile community, was reportedly shot in the head and killed by the gunmen.

Two other persons; a woman identified as Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter who were passing through the area at the time were also struck by stray bullets fired during the attack.

Police, Amotekun Arrest Four Over Akure Kidnap Attack — Amotekun

The abducted woman was later released six days after the incident following the payment of ransom by her family and associates.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Jimoh Abayomi, said credible intelligence led to the arrest of the suspects at a hotel located behind Ado Garage in Akure, the state capital.

Abayomi disclosed that the sum of ₦1.4 million, suspected to be part of the ransom collected from the victim’s family, was recovered from the suspects.

He added that preliminary investigations showed the suspects had confessed to their involvement in the crime and were believed to be members of a criminal syndicate operating around the Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo and Ogbese areas.

“The victim, Oladeinde, was able to positively identify the suspects and has commended the command for its swift response and efforts leading to their arrest,” he said.

The police spokesperson stated that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the state.

He added that efforts were also underway to track down other members of the gang and determine whether they were connected to other kidnapping incidents previously reported in the state.