The Ogun State Police command says its operatives have arrested two suspected members of a kidnap syndicate terrorising Ijebu-Ode and its environs.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi made this known in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital on Monday.
He said that the suspects, Samuel Oke Abiodun (46) and Denis Blessing (28) were arrested following series of Kidnap cases in Ijebu-Ode, consequent upon which the commissioner of police, CP Lanre Bankole, gave a marching order to all the Divisional Police Officers in Ijebu-Ode to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act within the shortest possible time.
“In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO Igbeba division CSP Musiliu Doga and his crack detectives embarked on a technical and intelligence-based investigation which subsequently led to the arrest of Denis Blessing on the 8th of December 2021 in his house at Ijebu-Ode,” the PPRO said.
“His arrest and confession led to the apprehension of Samuel Oke Abiodun in his hideout also at Ijebu-ode.”
Oyeyemi further stated that on interrogation, the two suspects confessed to having participated in four different kidnap operations in Ijebu-Ode.
“He confessed to being part of a syndicate that kidnapped one Alhaja Salam Mojisola on the 6th of December 2021 at the entrance of her house situated at Akinsanya Street Mobalufon Ijebu-Ode.
“They also confessed to the kidnapping of one Mrs Olaitan Daodu on the 26th of January 2021. Also, one Mrs Abimbola Bolanle Lateefat, the Deputy Director I.C.T department at Tai Solarin University of Education was also kidnapped by the gang on the 20th of May 2021.
“They also participated in kidnapping one Mrs Adegoke along Atan-Ijebu road”.
According to the police, the assignment of the duo is to scout around, identify and monitor their would-be victim from their business places to their houses, and inform other members of the gang who will then block the victim mostly at the entrance of their houses and abduct such person.
Items recovered from them include a Toyota Camry with registration number GGE 200 FN which is their operational vehicle
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, who commended the resilience of his men in smashing the syndicate, has ordered the transfer of the suspects to the anti-kidnapping unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.
The Commissioner of Police also directed a massive manhunt for the remaining members of the syndicate with the view to bring them to justice, while he also assured residents of the state of police readiness to fish out any criminal hibernating within the state.
