The Ondo State Police Command said its operatives have arrested two notorious kidnapers identified as Abubakar Umar and Mohammed Shehu who were allegedly responsible for abduction and killing of one Alaba Abe, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abe was the coordinator of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation in Supare Akoko community. Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state last April.
The spokesperson for Ekiti Police Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, in a statement on Friday explained that the two suspects were arrested following a voice note which was sent to the phone of Sheu after the bus he was in was stopped for a search by the police in Ikare area of the state.
According to her, the suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command.
Giving further information on how the suspects were arrested, the Ondo Police spokesperson said, “On November, 2024, men of the Special Anti Kidnapping on Stop and Search at Ikare Junction at about 15.20 pm intercepted one Hiace vehicle popularly known as Hummer Bus conveying passengers to Owo,” the statement read.
“During the search, Mohammed Sheu, 21 years demeanour changed, and on reasonable suspicion, he was singled out for brief interrogation. During interrogation, a voice note dropped as a message on his phone, when opened, it was a reply from Sheu’s friend, now at large, who confirmed to have seen his message.
“A prior voice note sent by Sheu was opened; he told his friend that he is not financially buoyant and told him to contact him if there is any kidnapping job available that can fetch them some money.
“Sheu was later arrested and taken to the station for proper investigation, where he confessed to other crimes he had committed ranging from kidnapping and robbery in various places like Kogi, Niger, Akoko, Ifon, Ipele axis and Owo.
According to the police spokesperson, the kidnapping gang operates by locating the victim’s residence, going in there and picking them into the bush, after which ransom would be demanded.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of Abubakar Umar, 24 years old, who also confessed to committing a similar crime as a gang member.
“The suspects stated further that they were responsible for the kidnap at Supare Akoko that led to the death of Alaba Abe Excel in April 2024, and in September, they all kidnapped another person in a popular Hotel in Owo,” she added.
The police spokesperson concluded that further investigation on the matter is ongoing and efforts are being made to apprehend other suspects in connection with the killing.
