The Ondo State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of a suspected kidnapper, Adegbenro Adeola, and the rescue of a kidnapped victim during an operation in Akure.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspect was apprehended after operatives responded to a distress situation involving a kidnapped man identified as Kayode.
He explained that the victim was abducted by a gang before police officers on routine patrol received intelligence about a man screaming for help from a moving vehicle along the Oba-Ile axis.
The officers immediately launched a pursuit of the suspected vehicle. During the chase, the kidnappers forced the victim, identified as Kayode Alaba, out of the car in an attempt to escape, but the police continued the operation and arrested one of the suspects while others fled.
“The information indicated that an individual was shouting for help from within a red Toyota Camry.
“Upon receipt of the report, the operatives swiftly mobilised and initiated a coordinated pursuit of the suspected vehicle. During the chase, the suspects forcefully ejected the victim, later identified as Kayode Alaba from the moving vehicle in a bid to evade arrest.
“Undeterred, the police team sustained the pursuit, which culminated in the arrest of one suspect identified as Adegbenro Adeola, while other members of the syndicate fled the scene and the vehicle recovered.”
Jimoh added that preliminary investigations showed the victim was kidnapped from his residence along Irese Road in Akure before the police intervention.
The rescued victim is currently receiving medical care, while the arrested suspect is assisting investigators with useful information.
The case has been transferred to the Violence Crime Response Unit in Akure for further investigation and efforts to track down fleeing gang members.
