The Ondo State Police Command has secured the remand of two suspected kidnappers, Bello Denge and Usman Isah, at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Olokuta, following their arrest and identification by multiple victims.
The command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, noting that the suspects were apprehended through an intelligence-driven operation targeting a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating across parts of the state.
According to him, the suspects were identified by at least nine victims during an identification parade conducted at the police command headquarters.
The victims independently confirmed the duo’s involvement in a series of abductions that had affected several communities.
Investigations by the police revealed that the suspects were part of a wider criminal network responsible for orchestrating kidnapping operations in areas including Iluabo, Eleyowo, Iju-Itaogbolu, and Pelebe.
The group reportedly targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly farmers working in isolated locations, thereby instilling fear and disrupting economic activities in the affected communities.
Jimoh stated that following the conclusion of investigations, the suspects were formally arraigned in court on April 30, 2026, on charges bordering on kidnapping and other violent offences.
The court subsequently ordered their remand at the Olokuta correctional facility pending further legal proceedings.
He emphasised that the prosecution of suspects remains a critical component in the fight against crime, stressing that the command is committed not only to apprehending offenders but also to ensuring that due process is followed.
The police spokesperson added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who remain at large, assuring residents of sustained operations to curb criminal activities across the state.
Jimoh urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information, reiterating the command’s resolve to protect lives and property.
The development comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping in Ondo State. In a related incident reported earlier, a 78-year-old farmer, Joel Adeyemo, was abducted on his farm in Ofosu, with his family revealing that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N60 million for his release.
