By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Operatives of Ogun State Police Command on Monday said they have arrested two members of a kidnap syndicate terrorising Ijebu-Ode and its environ.
The suspects, Samuel Oke Abiodun aged 46yrs and 28-yr-old Dennis Blessing were said to be members of gang of dare-devil kidnappers who kidnapped one Mrs Olaitan Daodu on the 26th of January 2021, one Mrs Abimbola Bolanle Lateefat, the Deputy Director I.C.T Department, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun on the 20th of May 2021 just as they also participated in kidnapping one Mrs Adegoke
According to statement from the Spokesman of the State Police Command, the alleged notorious kidnappers were arrested following series of kidnap cases in Ijebu-Ode, consequent upon which the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, gave a marching order to all the DPOs in Ijebu-Ode to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act within the shortest possible time.
The statement revealed that in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the DPO Igbeba division CSP Musiliu Doga and his crack detectives embarked on a technical and intelligence based investigation which subsequently led to the arrest of Denis Blessing on the 8th of December 2021 in his house at Ijebu-Ode.
The arrest of Dennis and his confession reportedly led to the apprehension of Samuel Oke Abiodun in his hideout also at Ijebu-ode.
On interrogation, Dennis and Samuel were said to have allegedly confessed to have participated in four different kidnap operations in Ijebu-Ode.
They were said to have equally confessed to being part of a syndicate that kidnapped one Alhaja Salam Mojisola on the 6th of December, 2021 at the entrance of her house at Akinsanya Street, Mobalufon Ijebu-Ode.
The alleged kidnappers were also said to have allegedly confessed to the kidnapping of one Mrs Olaitan Daodu on the 26th of January 2021. Also, one Mrs Abimbola Bolanle Lateefat, the Deputy Director I.C.T department at Tai Solarin University of Education was also kidnapped by the gang on the 20th of May 2021 just as they also participated in kidnapping one Mrs Adegoke along Atan-Ijebu road.
According to the confessional statement of the two suspects, they disclosed that their assignment is to scout around, identify and monitor their would-be victim from their business places to their houses, and inform other members of the gang who will then block the victim mostly at the entrance of their houses and abduct such person.
The Police said it has equally recovered a Toyota Camry with registration number GGE 200 FN which is the operational vehicle of the rampaging kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole who commended the resilience of his men in smashing the syndicate has ordered the transfer of the suspects to the anti-kidnapping unit of the State criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.
The CP also directed a massive manhunt for remaining members of the syndicate with the view to bring them to justice. He also assured the good people of Ogun State of police readiness to fish out any criminal hibernating in any part of the state.