The Police Command in Ondo State has apprehended three individuals and rescued three victims following a suspected kidnapping incident in Oda community, within Akure South Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Akure, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the suspects were identified through footage captured by a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system.
Jimoh explained that the breakthrough came after the video clip showing the abduction of a victim in the Oda area surfaced on social media, prompting swift action by security operatives.
“Upon receiving the footage, the command immediately activated its intelligence team, leveraging digital surveillance analysis and coordinated field operations to identify and apprehend the suspects.
“Acting on credible intelligence and investigative leads derived from the footage, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad carried out targeted operations which led to the arrest of one of the suspects.
“During interrogation, the suspect provided useful information that led to the subsequent arrest of two other accomplices believed to have played active roles in the incident, and who were also captured on the CCTV footage.
” Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects played various roles in the commission of the alleged kidnapping.
“The arrested suspects are identified as; Mohammed Koro ‘m’ aged 27yrs, Muhammad Usman ‘m’ aged 30yrs and Musa Alhaji ‘m’ aged 23yrs,” he said.
The police image-maker further revealed that coordinated operations by the command resulted in the safe recovery of the three victims, who were subsequently debriefed and taken to a medical facility for treatment.
He added that the suspects had made confessional statements, which are currently assisting ongoing efforts to track down other members of the criminal network.
Jimoh noted that the suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to tackle crime decisively, stressing that Ondo State would not be a refuge for criminal elements.
“The CP warned that regardless of where suspects choose to hide, they will be relentlessly tracked down and made to face the full weight of the law.
“He also reassures residents that the command remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
“Lawal urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the police with credible and actionable information that can aid ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements,” he said.
Jimoh urged residents to remain calm and continue their daily activities without fear, assuring that proactive strategies have been put in place to curb crime across the state.
