The Ondo State Police Command announced on Thursday that it has apprehended four individuals in connection with the abduction of a woman in the Ilu-Abo community, located in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, Mrs. Tomiola Oladehinde, a school proprietor, was seized by unidentified gunmen at the entrance of her residence in the community last Sunday evening.
It has been reported that the incident transpired when the kidnappers invaded the vicinity and assaulted the victim’s vehicle, subsequently abducting her. Nevertheless, she was released five days thereafter.
According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abayomi Jimoh, the command announced that the suspects were apprehended as a result of intelligence gathering and cooperation with a local vigilante group in the community.
He said, “On Thursday, January 29, 2026, acting on proactive and credible intelligence, vigilant members of the Ilu-Abo community apprehended one Abenaguna Muhammad, male, found in possession of various criminal charms. The suspect was immediately handed over to police operatives for discreet investigation.
“During investigation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a kidnapping syndicate operating along the Ala/Ilu-Abo axis and actively involved in the recent violent attack and abduction recorded in the area. He further disclosed that the syndicate was led by one Lanre, popularly known as ‘Lanre Tomato’, and two others, namely Ojo, male, and Pius, male.
“This arrest followed intensive intelligence-driven operations launched by the command after the violent incident of January 25, 2026, during which armed assailants attacked residents at Liberty Avenue, Ilu-Abo, shot a victim, abducted another, and injured two others.
“The incident prompted an immediate operational response, including reinforced tactical deployments, enhanced intelligence gathering, and on-the-spot assessment by the Commissioner of Police.”
