Police nail Okada rider in kidnapping of Ondo varsity lecturer

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, 45, of Akungba-Akoko, for allegedly aiding a kidnapping gang in the abduction of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel Eleyinmi, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

Omoniyi was abducted on August 4, 2025 and later released after reported payment of ransom.

The lecturer is said to be receiving treatment at the university health centre.

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Olusola Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

According to the PPRO, Alaba who regularly conveyed the victim to work, allegedly exploited his familiarity with the lecturer to monitor his movements.

The statement revealed that on August 4, 2025, Alaba purportedly visited the victim’s residence under the pretext of borrowing a mobile phone — a move police described as a ploy to facilitate the abduction.

Shortly after his departure, members of the gang reportedly invaded the house and whisked the lecturer away.

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Investigations further linked one Ogungbemi Wasiu, 42, of Okeruwa, Ikare, to the operation. He allegedly provided the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family with a N5 million ransom demand.

Although Wasiu claimed the phone had been lost before the incident, police noted that he failed to report the loss, thereby enabling the gang to use it for ransom negotiations.

Five other suspects — Audu Shaibu, 25; Ismaila Abdullahi, 24; Nuru Bature, 18; Usman Baba, 20; and Yusuf Muhammed, 23, all from Agopanu, Owo — were identified as those who physically carried out the abduction and made direct ransom demands to the victim’s family.

DSP Ayanlade explained that the coordination between Alaba’s surveillance role, Wasiu’s communication support, and the actions of the field operatives indicated a well-organised kidnapping syndicate.

The Police Command has dismissed earlier claims that the suspects were arrested while sharing ransom money, clarifying that they were apprehended following coordinated follow-up operations based on credible intelligence.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, cautioned against the spread of false information that could mislead the public and hinder investigations. He assured that efforts were ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the gang.

The CP also commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his continuous support and strategic guidance, which he said had significantly bolstered the Command’s capacity to combat crime.