In a bizarre turn of events, the Ondo State Police Command’s operatives successfully arrested five suspected kidnappers who had inadvertently fallen into a drug-induced slumber after abducting a pastor’s wife and two other individuals. The perpetrators, identified as Garuba Mumuni (27), Yusuf Tale (21), Kabiru Muhammed (16), Shaibu Umar, and Adamu Mohammed (22), reportedly succumbed to sleep after consuming narcotics.
The unusual circumstances surrounding the arrests unfolded when the victims managed to escape their captors on different occasions, taking advantage of the kidnappers’ drug-induced drowsiness. The incident occurred in the Ofosu Division jurisdiction, where the victims, including the pastor’s wife and a church member, were abducted from the church premises, while the third victim was seized while gathering snails on a farm.
Prompt response and intelligence-led operations by the Ofosu Division officers led to the identification and subsequent arrest of five out of the six suspected kidnappers on May 1, 2024. Remarkably, the victims positively identified the apprehended suspects as members of the gang responsible for their abduction.
Commissioner of Police Abayomi Oladipo reiterated the commitment of the state police to combatting crime and ensuring the safety of residents. He confirmed that the apprehended suspects would be swiftly arraigned before the court to face appropriate charges in accordance with the law. The commissioner also lauded the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and the public in tackling criminal activities in the state.
