…allegedly supplied the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family with a ₦5 million ransom demand,according to police investigation.
ONDO, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, of Akungba-Akoko, for allegedly assisting a kidnapping gang in the abduction of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel Eleyinmi, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
The lecturer was kidnapped on August 4, 2025 and later released following the reported payment of ransom. He is currently receiving medical care at the university health centre.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olusola Ayanlade, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Thursday, August 14, 2025. According to him, Alaba, who often transported the lecturer to work, allegedly used his familiarity with the victim to track his movements and feed information to the kidnappers.
Investigations revealed that on the day of the incident, Alaba visited the lecturer’s residence under the guise of borrowing a mobile phone, a move police described as a deliberate ploy to set the stage for the abduction.
Moments after Alaba left, armed members of the kidnapping gang stormed the house and abducted the lecturer.
Police investigations further linked Ogungbemi Wasiu, 42, of Okeruwa, Ikare, to the crime. Wasiu allegedly supplied the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family with a ₦5 million ransom demand.
Although Wasiu claimed that the phone had been lost prior to the kidnapping, police noted that he failed to report the loss, enabling the gang to use the device for ransom negotiations.
Authorities have also identified five other suspects alleged to have carried out the physical abduction and made direct ransom demands. They include:
Audu Shaibu, 25
Ismaila Abdullahi, 24
Nuru Bature, 18
Usman Baba, 20
Yusuf Muhammed, 23
All five hail from Agopanu, Owo, and are suspected of working closely with Alaba and Wasiu as part of a well-organised kidnapping syndicate.
DSP Ayanlade explained that the coordination between Alaba’s surveillance, Wasiu’s communication support, and the actions of the field operatives demonstrated a carefully planned criminal operation.
The Police Command dismissed earlier rumours that the suspects were arrested while sharing ransom money, stressing that they were apprehended during coordinated follow-up operations based on credible intelligence.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, cautioned the public against spreading false information that could derail investigations. He assured that manhunts were ongoing to capture other fleeing members of the gang.
The CP also commended Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his unwavering support and strategic guidance, which, he said, had significantly boosted the Command’s ability to tackle crime effectively.
