A 55-year-old man abducted in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State has escaped from his kidnappers’ hideout, leading to the arrest of two suspected members of the criminal syndicate.
The victim, identified as Idowu Alade, was abducted at Aroge Camp, via Idoani, at about 6:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026, while on his way to purchase a network recharge card.
His failure to return home prompted members of the community to begin a search the following morning.
The incident was subsequently reported at the Idoani Police Division.
Security operatives comprising the police, Amotekun Corps, Ose Bravers Vigilante Group and local hunters then launched an intensive search of the surrounding bush in an effort to locate the victim.
Alade eventually escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout at about 4:00 a.m. on August 23, when he reportedly took advantage of the fact that his captors were asleep.
He fled through the bush towards the Ifira area, where security operatives, acting on credible intelligence, eventually located and secured him.
The victim, who sustained injuries during the ordeal, was taken for medical attention, according to the police.
Information obtained from Alade following his escape subsequently helped security agencies expand their operation and place the area on red alert.
At about 2:15 p.m. the same day, a patrol team from the Isua Police Division intercepted and arrested two suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate.
The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Usman Shaibu and 27-year-old Sanni Musa.
After recovering sufficiently from the ordeal, Alade reportedly identified the two suspects during a formal identification process at the police station.
The police also recovered the victim’s mobile phone from the suspects.
According to the command, the two suspects confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping and provided information that could assist investigators in tracking other members of the suspected criminal network.
The information reportedly includes details about an alleged accomplice believed to be operating from Auchi.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has directed that the suspects and the case file be transferred to the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The police said the investigation would focus on identifying and apprehending other members of the suspected syndicate.
