Victims identify two alleged kidnap kingpins in Ondo
Ondo State Police Arrest Two Suspected Kidnappers
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two individuals believed to be members of a kidnapping syndicate linked to several abductions in the region.
The arrests were announced in a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi K. Jimoh, on May 4, 2026.
The suspects, Bello Denge, 30, and Umar Isah, 25, were taken into custody following intelligence-driven operations conducted by police personnel.
During an identification exercise at the Command Headquarters, nine victims confirmed the suspects’ alleged involvement in various kidnapping incidents. The police indicated that the suspects are associated with a network responsible for abductions in communities such as Iluabo, Eleyowo, Iju-Itaogbolu, and Pelebe, which have seen farmers targeted.
“The victims independently confirmed the suspects’ active involvement in a series of abductions,” the statement noted.
The individuals were formally charged in court on April 30, 2026, with offenses related to kidnapping and other violent crimes. They are currently being held at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Olokuta, as authorities continue to pursue additional members of the syndicate who remain at large.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property, pledging to escalate operations against all forms of criminal activity. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report credible information to assist in ongoing security efforts.
