Police Rescue Kidnapped Woman, Arrest Five Suspects in Ondo
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Ondo State have rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested five suspects following a swift coordinated operation along the Emure–Akure highway and parts of Owo area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred on June 8 when a woman, identified as Ogechi John, 26, was abducted at a filling station along the Emure–Akure highway by two armed men who arrived in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry without a registration number.
According to the sources, the Divisional Police Officer of Emure-Ile received a distress call and immediately mobilised operatives in collaboration with police formations under the Owo Area Command to block entry and exit points while launching a search-and-rescue operation.
“The joint team swiftly responded to the incident, deployed personnel to strategic locations, and combed surrounding bushes in a coordinated effort to trace the kidnappers and rescue the victim,” the source said.
The sources disclosed that the operational pressure forced the suspects to abandon the ash-coloured Toyota Camry in Ojana bush area of Owo.
Subsequent ambush operations led to the arrest of three suspects who reportedly arrived on a motorcycle to recover the abandoned vehicle. They were identified as Friday Shola, 27, the alleged owner of the vehicle; Friday Monday, 21; and Osho Joseph, 24.
Further intelligence gathered from the suspects led operatives to a residence in Idimepe Street, Owo, where the victim was reportedly held hostage in the house of one Lawal Lucky, a herbalist.
Police sources said operatives stormed the location and rescued the victim unhurt, while a woman identified as Lucky Mariam, who was allegedly keeping watch over the victim, was arrested at the scene.
The sources added that the suspected ringleader and husband of the arrested woman was not found during the operation, as efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
A search of the recovered Toyota Camry reportedly led to the discovery of an Abuja registration plate number KUJ-770-EF hidden in the vehicle’s boot, suspected to be its original registration number.
Police authorities said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full network behind the kidnapping incident and to ensure all suspects involved were brought to justice.
The command assured residents of its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
