The Ogun State Police Command has successfully thwarted a planned kidnapping in the Abigi area and apprehended a notorious serial kidnapper, Clement Elijah, who had been evading arrest since 2024.
Elijah, previously implicated in a high-profile abduction case in Ajelanwa village last year, was captured by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following actionable intelligence and community collaboration.
Two of his accomplices had earlier been arrested in connection with the same incident.
In a statement on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, revealed that Elijah returned to the Ibiade community on June 13, intending to abduct a prominent resident of Ago Village, Abigi.
His plot, however, was foiled through a coordinated effort between the police and vigilant community members.
Odutola said, “Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping unit apprehended Clement Elijah, a felon who had been on the run since 2024 in connection with a high-profile kidnapping incident at Ajelanwa village, Ogun State.
“Elijah arrived Ibiade community on June 13, 2025, and planned to abduct a prominent individual in Ago Village, Abigi, but his sinister mission was thwarted through timely collaboration between the police and vigilant residents.”
Odutola said the police operatives recovered one pump-action rifle, a locally fabricated pistol, and eight live cartridges concealed in a Boom Speaker.
Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, lauded the Ibiade and Abigi communities for their vigilance and collaboration.
“We appreciate the sustained communication and support from the communities.
“Their role was critical in preventing yet another crime and in the apprehension of these suspects,” Ogunlowo said.
In a separate development, the command also confirmed the arrest of 14 suspected cultists from rival groups on June 16, 2025.
According to Odutola, the suspects were apprehended by the Anti-Cultism team in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele, and Imaweje areas of Ijebu Ode, while allegedly planning violent attacks as part of a supremacy clash during their institution’s signing-out celebration.
“Operatives of the Anti-Cultism team arrested 14 suspected cultists of two rival groups planning attacks over superiority on June 16, 2025.
“The suspects were rounded up in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele areas and Imaweje areas in Ijebu Ode as they assembled to mark their institution’s examinations signing out,” she said.
Odutola said all suspects and recovered weapons are currently being processed at the State Criminal Investigation Department, while further investigations continue.