Police in Ondo State have tracked down and arrested four suspects linked to a violent ambush in Ilu-Abo that left a businessman dead and a woman in the hands of kidnappers.
The suspects identified as Abdullahi Ismaila, 20; Babanyara Japi, 25; Babuga Abubakar, 25; and Adama Usman, 15 were captured during a joint operation between the police and the state’s Amotekun Corps.
The breakthrough came after investigators traced the group to a hotel near the Ado Garage in Akure, where they had been staying.
The case dates back to January 25, 2026, when the gang reportedly targeted Tomilola Oladeinde as she arrived at her home on Liberty Avenue.
During the attack, John Ofuduwa, an iron rod merchant from the nearby Oba-Ile community, was shot in the head and killed. The chaos also left a woman named Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter injured by stray bullets.
While Oladeinde was eventually released six days later after her family and friends scraped together a ransom, the trauma of the event stayed with the community.
Upon their arrest, police recovered ₦1.4 million in cash, which is believed to be a portion of the ransom paid for her freedom.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi: “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime and are members of a criminal syndicate operating around the Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo, and Ogbese axis.
*Furthermore, the victim, Oladeinde, was able to positively identify the suspects and has expressed appreciation to the command for its response and efforts leading to their arrest.
“Meanwhile, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other related criminal activities within the state and possibly beyond.
“Efforts are also ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network and establish whether the suspects are connected to other previously reported kidnapping incidents in the state.”
