Segun Atanda/
The Police in Ogun have dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate that left residents in fear and families torn by loss.
The State Commissioner of Police (CP) Abiodun Alamutu, in a press briefing held today, shared details of the recent high-stakes operation that brought an end to a chain of kidnappings along the Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode axis and beyond.
The breakthrough, marked by the arrests of seven suspects, unveils a disturbing pattern of coordinated abductions, including one incident in which a nurse from Babcock University was taken from her vehicle as she arrived home after work.
The group’s leader, Azeez Abolaji Alese, was found to have previously orchestrated kidnappings across states and used “criminal charms” for perceived protection.
Despite prior arrests, Alese reemerged as a serial offender, abducting residents as recently as September, only months after his release on bail.
According to the CP, their operation began in earnest following a series of abductions reported between May and September 2024.
CP Alamutu revealed how a single lead on October 3 led officers to Azeez and his accomplices, ending a spate of attacks on travelers, commuters, and unsuspecting residents. The arrests brought closure to multiple cases, including the violent abduction of a woman from her gate and the theft of vehicles used as bargaining tools for ransom.
The command also presented recovered items including a Browning pistol, charms, and stolen vehicles that will serve as critical evidence.
The success was further amplified by the discovery of key roles each gang member played. The operation unmasked an intricate network that extended to weapon suppliers in Oyo and Kwara states, with additional support for victims’ confinement provided by certain gang members.
Perhaps the most disturbing revelation was that children were also victimized in these targeted abductions. Among the arrests was one suspect, Onoriode Augustine, who reportedly collaborated in the kidnapping of over 10 children.
For the grieving families and a community long terrorized, these arrests come as a relief and signal a return to peace.
Amidst this success, Alamutu issued a heartfelt plea to residents, urging heightened vigilance and discretion in trusting unfamiliar individuals.
“This operation underscores the lengths we go to secure the lives of our residents. We urge the public to exercise caution and ensure personal safety measures are taken,” he said, emphasizing that safety is a collective responsibility.
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