Four suspected kidnappers, who allegedly killed a businessman, John Ofuduwa, and abducted a woman, Tomilola Oladeinde, in Ilu-Abo, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been arrested by the police.
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Ismaila, 20, Babanyara Japi, 25, Babuga Abubakar, 25, and Adama Usman, 15.
Police disclosed that the four suspects were arrested in collaboration with the personnel of the State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps.
On January 25, 2026, Ofuduwa, who was into iron rod business in Oba-Ile community, a neighbouring village to Ilu-Abo, was shot in the head by the suspects, who had laid an ambush for their target, Oladeinde, while driving into her compound situated on Liberty Avenue in the community.
During the attack, two other persons, a female identified as Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, who were passing through the area, were also hit by bullets fired by the gunmen.
The abducted woman was released by the kidnappers six days after her abduction following the payment of ransom raised by her family and close associates.
While disclosing that credible intel led to the arrest of the four suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Jimoh Abayomi, revealed the suspected kidnappers were nabbed in a hotel where they had lodged behind Ado Garage, Akure, the state capital.
Following the arrest of the suspects, the sum of N1.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of ransom, was found in their possession.
He said, “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.
“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.
“Meanwhile, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other related criminal activities within 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.”
