Police arrest 4 suspects in Ondo school proprietor abduction

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction of a school proprietor, Mrs Tomiola Oladehinde, in Ilu-Abo community, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

Oladehinde was abducted last Sunday evening by gunmen at the entrance of her residence in the community. The assailants reportedly attacked her vehicle before whisking her away. She was released five days later.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said the arrests followed credible intelligence and collaboration with a local vigilante group in the community.

According to him, vigilant members of the Ilu-Abo community on January 29, apprehended one Abenaguna Muhammad, who was found in possession of suspected criminal charms. He was subsequently handed over to police operatives for investigation.

Jimoh said during interrogation, Muhammad confessed to being a member of a kidnapping syndicate operating along the Ala–Ilu-Abo area and admitted his involvement in the recent abduction.

“He further disclosed that the syndicate was led by one Lanre, popularly known as ‘Lanre Tomato,’ alongside two others identified as Ojo and Pius,” the statement added.

The PPRO noted that the arrest followed intensive intelligence-driven operations launched after the violent incident of January 25, 2026, during which armed assailants attacked residents at Liberty Avenue, Ilu-Abo, shot one person, abducted another, and injured two others.

He said the incident prompted an immediate operational response by the command, including reinforced tactical deployment, enhanced intelligence gathering, and an on-the-spot assessment by the Commissioner of Police.

Jimoh added that the suspects were currently in police custody while investigations were ongoing to recover exhibits, uncover additional criminal links, and ensure their prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction.