Okada Rider Used by Kidnappers Arrested Among Suspects in Lecturer’s Abduction

By Peter Dansu  The Abducted Lecturer  The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, 45, from Akun...

By Peter Dansu 

The Abducted Lecturer 

The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, 45, from Akungba-Akoko, over his alleged role in the abduction of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel Eleyinmi, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

Omoniyi was kidnapped from his residence on August 4, 2025, and later released after the reported payment of ransom. He is currently receiving treatment at the university health centre.

Police spokesperson, DSP Olusola Ayanlade, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday, August 14, 2025. According to the PPRO, Alaba — who frequently transported the lecturer to work — allegedly used his familiarity with the victim to monitor his movements.

Investigations revealed that on the day of the incident, Alaba visited the lecturer’s home under the guise of borrowing a mobile phone, a move police described as a calculated ploy to aid the kidnap gang. Moments after Alaba left, the assailants stormed the house and abducted Omoniyi.

The probe also linked one Ogungbemi Wasiu, 42, of Okeruwa, Ikare, to the operation. He allegedly supplied the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family with a N5 million ransom demand. Although Wasiu claimed the phone had been lost before the incident, police noted he failed to report the loss, enabling its use in ransom negotiations.

Five other suspects — Audu Shaibu, 25; Ismaila Abdullahi, 24; Nuru Bature, 18; Usman Baba, 20; and Yusuf Muhammed, 23, all from Agopanu, Owo — were identified as the operatives who carried out the abduction and directly made ransom demands.

DSP Ayanlade said the coordination between Alaba’s surveillance, Wasiu’s communication support, and the field operatives’ actions showed the hallmarks of a well-organised kidnapping syndicate.

The command dismissed earlier reports that the suspects were caught sharing ransom money, clarifying that arrests were made after coordinated follow-up operations based on credible intelligence.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, warned against spreading misinformation that could mislead the public or jeopardise investigations. He assured that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing gang members, while commending the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his support and strategic guidance in enhancing security operations in the state.