The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of five suspects linked to the abduction of two school children in Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to the command, the suspects were apprehended by its Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad after allegedly carrying out the crime and collecting ransom from the victims’ family.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspects were identified as Taofeek Lukman (23), Blessing Saturday (27), Peter Moses (25), Sunday Isaac (23), and Sanusi Dan Asabe (37).
Jimoh explained that the incident occurred on May 12, 2026, when two siblings, Jehu (10) and Yohana (5), were reportedly kidnapped while on their way to school in the Jerry Sawmill area of Ore. The children’s father, Andrew Yohana, immediately reported the case to the police around 9:00 a.m., prompting an intelligence-led investigation.
He added that operatives, using technical intelligence and tracking methods, traced the suspects to the Alaba area of Ore, where Taofeek Lukman and Blessing Saturday were first arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of three additional suspects believed to be part of the same criminal network.
The police also recovered ₦251,000, suspected to be part of the ransom paid before the victims were released.
The command stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover more evidence connected to the crime. It also noted that the suspects had confessed to their individual roles in the kidnapping and would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, praised the professionalism of the anti-kidnapping unit and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
He assured residents that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority for the police.