The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin, Abdullahi Lawal, who had been terrorising communities in the Akoko axis of Ondo State.
The command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday in Akure that the suspect was apprehended in Ikare-Akoko following sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated police operations.
According to the police, Lawal was identified as the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Aremu Tijani on August 18, 2025, at the victim’s bush farm in the Ikare-Akoko area.
Jimoh said earlier security operations against the gang led to the killing of three members and the arrest of four others, while Lawal escaped at the time despite sustaining gunshot wounds. He was later placed on the police intelligence watchlist before being tracked and arrested.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the operatives involved in the operation and praised members of the public for providing useful information that aided the arrest.
Police authorities assured residents that efforts are ongoing to dismantle criminal networks across the state and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
