The Ondo State Police Command has arrested five individuals suspected to be involved in the abduction of two schoolchildren in Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad following an intelligence-driven operation launched after the victims were kidnapped and a ransom allegedly paid.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, the arrested suspects include Taofeek Lukman (23), Blessing Saturday (27), Peter Moses (25), Sunday Isaac (23), and Sanusi Dan Asabe (37).
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims, identified as Jehu (10) and Yohana (5), who are siblings, were abducted on May 12, 2026, while on their way to school in the Jerry Sawmill area of Ore.
Their father, Andrew Yohana, reported the incident to the police at about 9:00 a.m. on the same day, prompting an immediate response and investigation by security operatives.
Police intelligence and tracking efforts led officers to the Alaba area of Ore, where two of the suspects were initially arrested.
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Further investigations resulted in the capture of three additional members believed to be part of the kidnapping syndicate.
During the operation, detectives recovered ₦251,000, suspected to be part of the ransom paid by the victims’ family before the children regained their freedom.
The police disclosed that the suspects have made confessional statements detailing their roles in the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
He also assured residents that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.
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