The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspect over the killing of a youth leader in Isua Akoko, the administrative centre of Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The victim, Ojo Abbey, popularly known as Obesere, was reportedly abducted by gunmen on February 22, 2026, while returning to Isua from Edo State. Community sources said he was taken to an undisclosed location in the forest and was later found dead.
A resident, Tunji, said the incident was reported to the police shortly after it occurred. Youths in the community, working with local hunters, organised search efforts and combed nearby forests in an attempt to rescue him.
His decomposing body was eventually discovered on Saturday in a forest in Igara, Edo State.
In a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident and disclosed that one suspect had been arrested and was assisting investigators.
Jimoh said the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had directed increased surveillance and strategic deployment of officers in the affected areas and along the Ondo–Edo boundary to forestall further attacks and apprehend other fleeing suspects.
According to the police, the abduction was reported at the Isua Division at about 7:45 p.m. on February 22, 2026, by a resident who said the victim was allegedly kidnapped by armed men suspected to be herdsmen while returning from Ibilo in Edo State.
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The Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised patrol teams to the scene, and the victim’s Nissan Almera with registration number KJA 440 DB was recovered and secured at the station.
“The command commiserates with the family of the deceased and assures the public that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be brought to justice,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Isua Youth Forum condemned the killing, describing it as evidence of growing insecurity in the area. In a statement issued by its National President, Abimbola Oluwafemi, the group called on Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene.
The forum also urged the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, insisting that all those responsible be identified and prosecuted.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” the group stated, calling for decisive action to address insecurity in Isua and the wider Akoko South-East area.
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