— Rider allegedly spied on victim before kidnap in Akungba-Akoko
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a commercial motorcyclist and six others over the abduction of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayandele Olayinka, the prime suspect, 45-year-old Benson Alaba of Akungba-Akoko, regularly transported the lecturer to his workplace and allegedly used the familiarity to monitor his movements for the gang.
On August 4, 2025, Alaba reportedly visited the victim’s residence under the pretext of requesting a handset. Police investigations revealed that the visit was a calculated move to gather intelligence and create an opening for the abduction.
Shortly afterwards, other members of the syndicate stormed the home and whisked the lecturer away.
One of the suspects, 42-year-old Ogungbemi Wasiu of Okeruwa, Ikare, allegedly supplied the Itel phone used to contact the victim’s family with a ₦5 million ransom demand.
Police said five other suspects—Audu Shaibu, Ismaila Abdullahi, Nuru Bature, Usman Baba, and Yusuf Muhammed—carried out the physical abduction and directly negotiated with the family.
The Command dismissed earlier rumours that the suspects were caught while sharing ransom money, insisting their arrests followed discreet, intelligence-led operations.
The lecturer is currently receiving treatment at the university health centre.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, vowed that all those involved would face the full weight of the law as efforts continue to arrest fleeing members of the syndicate.
