An ex-offender and six others are detained by Ondo police for kidnapping.

A 40-year-old ex-convict, Ishaku Abdul, and six others have been arrested by police detectives in Ondo State for alleged kidnapping and other criminal activities.

They were apprehended by the Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) following a security tip-off.

Parading the suspects in Akure, the state capital, the Ondo State Police Commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed that Ishaku Abdul had recently been released from a correctional facility. However, suspicious behavior and an increase in criminal activities in his neighborhood led to his arrest.

According to Afolabi, the suspect was captured at Aladura Camp, Oke-Oge, Osi, an area recently plagued by kidnappings. He further revealed that all the suspects have been on the police wanted list.

Providing further details, Afolabi said: “On February 13, 2025, through intelligence gathering and technical support, Aminu (m) was arrested at Akure Garage in Ikare Akoko. His arrest led to the capture of Abdullahi Abubakar (m), 25 years old.”

He added that a follow-up operation between February 14 and 15 led to the arrest of four more suspects: Yusuf Saidu (m), 22 years old, Nafiu Ibrahim (m), 32 years old, Mohammed Anas (m), 20 years old and Kabiru Mohammed (m), 24 years old.

Afolabi also reported that in Ipele, a woman was abducted from her home by unknown gunmen. However, with the combined efforts of the police and local youths, the woman was successfully rescued. During the operation, an AK-49 rifle was recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout.

In a separate operation, police arrested Gbenga Olanrewaju, also known as Fish (m), 34 years old, for his role in the recent Owo cult clash.

The suspect, who confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity, had been on the police wanted list for his involvement in an attempted kidnapping at a filling station in Uso and other criminal activities across the state.

The police commissioner also announced the arrest of Temidayo Fadahunsi (m), 25 years old, for stealing mobile phones.

“Through shared intelligence, police arrested Temidayo Fadahunsi at Ijoka area of Akure. In his possession, we found: 228 Android phones, 156 different phone batteries and 23 foreign SIM cards.

The suspect was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for how he acquired the items.

Afolabi confirmed that all suspects are currently under investigation and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.