Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal of Ondo State reaffirmed the command remains resolute in its mission to ensure the protection of lives and property, and to maintain law and order across the State.
In line with this mandate, the Command has intensified its operational activities through a multi-dimensional approach anchored on intelligence-led policing, community collaboration, and the strategic deployment of technology.
Our operatives now leverage forensic tools, real-time surveillance, digital tracking, and coordinated data analysis to proactively detect, disrupt, and dismantle criminal networks operating within and beyond the State.
These capabilities, coupled with robust inter-agency cooperation and public support, have led to a number of recent successes in tackling crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, sexual violence, vehicle theft, and ritual killings.
This press briefing is aimed at updating the public on several high-impact investigations, major arrests, successful rescue operations, and critical recoveries effected in the past few weeks. These breakthroughs are a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and evolving capacity of the Ondo State Police Command to meet the ever-changing dynamics of crime in our society.
Below are summaries of the notable cases recorded:
- RECOVERY OF STOLEN VEHICLE AND ARREST OF SUSPECTS SPECIALIZED IN CAR THEFT
On 6th July 2025 at about 1900hrs, the Command’s Control Room received credible intelligence that a white LT bus with registration number Lagos LND 407 YF, loaded with packs of yoghurt and reported stolen from Lagos State, was heading towards the Ore/Benin axis.
A team of detectives from Ore Area Command, acting swiftly on the information, mounted an aggressive and coordinated stop-and-search operation which led to the interception of the vehicle at a filling station in Ore. Two suspects, one Jimoh Abdulmumuni ‘m’ aged 28 and one Jeremiah Lebe Igwe ‘m’ aged 50, were apprehended at the scene.
During interrogation, Jimoh Abdulmumuni, the principal suspect, confessed to stealing the vehicle belonging to one Pastor Segun ‘m’ of Gbagada, Lagos State, stating that he was employed as the driver of the vehicle, which gave him the opportunity to perpetrate the act. The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody. Investigation is ongoing and they will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation. - ARREST OF A SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER IN ORE
In a renewed effort to rid Ondo State of criminal elements, the Command recorded another breakthrough with the arrest of one Agent Oluwatobi ‘m’, a notorious armed robber who operates with a gang of three others still at large.
On 8th July 2025 at about 2130hrs, the suspect and his gang robbed one Michael Eghaji ‘m’ of Emmanuel Street, Ore, of his Nokia phone valued ₦25,000 at a hotel in Ore. Following the report lodged by the victim at Ore Divisional Headquarters, detectives from the division commenced a discreet investigation aided by credible intelligence provided by the complainant. This led to the arrest of the suspect on 10th July 2025. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members. - RESCUE OF A KIDNAPPED VICTIM IN AKOKO
Operatives of Supare Akoko Division, led by the DPO and in collaboration with local hunters, successfully rescued one Abu Kehinde ‘m’ of No. 2 Ikese Ayegunle, Oka Akoko, who earlier escaped from the hands of kidnappers.
The rescue was a result of a bush combing operation initiated following a report received on 9th July 2025 at about 2100hrs from one Idowu Adejoro ‘m’ of No. 122 Idofin Street, Ayegunle, that his brother Ologun Babatunde ‘m’ had been kidnapped between Oba Akoko and Supare Akoko forest at about 2000hrs. Intensive investigation is ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators. - RESCUE OF AN ABDUCTED STUDENT AND ARREST OF FOUR SUSPECTED RITUALIST ABDUCTORS
On 1st July 2025 at about 1400hrs, Hon. Orowole Akinwale Adamson ‘m’ of No. 27 Temitayo Street, Ayeka, Okitipupa, submitted a petition to the Command’s Special Operations Squad, reporting that his daughter, Orowole Laughter ‘f’, a 17-year-old 100-level student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), had left home on 25th June 2025 to an unknown destination and could no longer be reached.
Following a diligent and technology-driven investigation, it was discovered that the victim was in Akure on the same day she left home, later traveled to Ilesha, Osun State on 29th June, and returned to Akure on 30th June 2025. Surveillance was immediately mounted at a commercial bank in Alagbaka, Akure.
Acting on a well-coordinated plan and with the cooperation of the victim’s family, a certain amount of money was strategically paid into her account to prompt a withdrawal. This intelligent move led to the arrest of one Ayomide Emmanuel Luli ‘m’ aged 25 at the scene on 7th July 2025, when the victim, under instruction from her captors, attempted to withdraw the money.
Further investigation led to the arrest of one Iretomiwa Festus ‘m’, 23, also a student of OAUSTECH, who lured the victim under false pretenses. Three incision marks were discovered on the victim’s left hand, indicating ritual activity. The suspects confessed to taking the girl to an Ogboni cultist in Ilesha for initiation.
The said cultist, one Chief Awe Akinyemi ‘m’ aged 42, was arrested on 9th July 2025. He admitted that the ritual was performed by one Apena, now at large. A white cloth used during the initiation was recovered during a search of his residence.
The victim is currently receiving medical care and psychological support. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The arrested individuals will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
This case underscores the importance and effectiveness of timely cooperation and collaboration between the police and the public in ensuring that justice is not only served, but also seen to be served.
- ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST IN RUFUS GIWA POLYTECHNIC, OWO
Following a complaint that on 9th July 2025 at about 2100hrs, one Fajorin Femi ‘m’ aged 29 was assaulted inside an examination hall at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo by members of the Eiye Confraternity led by one Owolabi Tobiloba ‘m’ aged 21, police operatives led by the DPO swiftly moved into action.
Owolabi Tobiloba was arrested at Otapete, Owo. He confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity and that he was initiated in 2020 by one “Canty”. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the other cult members. Suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation. - VEHICLE THEFT SYNDICATE BUSTED: ARREST OF SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF STOLEN VEHICLES
On 12/07/2025, the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of Akure made significant arrests and recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla. Vehicles had been reportedly stolen from major towns in Ondo State, particularly Ugbe Akoko, Ore, and Akure.
Through a well-coordinated operation guided by technological tools, two suspects were arrested on 06/07/2025, and eight more were arrested across state line of Ondo, Edo, Lagos and Edo on 10/07/2025. They confessed to stealing the vehicles and selling them to various buyers.
Further investigation revealed that Paul Niwa, a member of the syndicate, was responsible for bringing buyers and receiving a share of the proceeds. One stolen Toyota Corolla (2005 model) was recovered from him, while four others remain unaccounted for. Efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining vehicles, and the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation. - KIDNAPPING/RAPE/ARMED ROBBERY AND MURDEROF TWO ADEKUNLE AJAKIN UNIVERSITYAKUNGBA AKOKO STUDENTS
Following a petition dated June 24, 2025, submitted by G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners, on behalf of one Mr. Emmanuel Peter of Shagari Village, Akure, Ondo State, the Command launched an intensive investigation into the reported abduction of his younger brother, one Abah John Friday, 25, and his friend, Okah Andrel Eloho, 19, both students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko—who went missing on June 20, 2025.
Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives from the Anti-kidnapping swung into action. Forensic tracking led investigators to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where an iPhone 14 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims was recovered from one Abdul Mohammed Mubarak, 38. Mubarak confessed to purchasing the phone from one Ojo Michael, whose arrest was subsequently affected in Aramoko-Ekiti. A Lexus RX 350 vehicle belonging to the victims was also recovered at the point of arrest.
Under interrogation, Ojo Michael confessed to participating in the robbery, abduction, and eventual murder of the victims. He further disclosed that the operation was masterminded by one Oladele Femi ‘m’—the landlord of the male victim—who allegedly engaged him and another accomplice (identified as “Kola”, currently at large) to carry out the crime. Investigations revealed that the sum of ₦800,000 was transferred from the victim’s account during their captivity.
Michael also admitted to raping the female victim. Upon recognizing him and unmasking his identity, she was executed along with her friend to prevent them from exposing the perpetrators. Their bodies were subsequently disposed of at separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Oladele Femi, who, during confrontation, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders. Acting on this confession, detectives recovered the body of the female victim in a bush near Ode-Ekiti, and it has since been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy. Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the male victim, who is believed to have been dumped in a river by an accomplice still at large.
This case stands as a tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed. The victims—young, promising undergraduates—were senselessly raped and murdered in cold blood.
The Command assures the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspect at large, recover the remains of Abah John Friday, and bring all responsible parties to justice. - UPDATE ON THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OF 12 YEARS OLD BY A CHIEF
Following the completion of the investigation the case has been charged to court accordingly by the Ondo State Police Command gender department - ARREST NOTORIOUS CULTIST PLOTTING DEADLY ATTACK ON FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC ILE-OLUJI SUG ELECTION
The Command also wishes to inform the general public of the arrest of a notorious cultist and long-wanted fugitive, linked to a series of violent cult-related attacks, including alleged murder and other heinous crimes within Ondo town and its environs.
On 15th July 2025 at about 1400hrs, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, successfully tracked down and arrested one Muhammed Taofeeq, 28 years of age, a known and active member of the proscribed Alora Confraternity. The suspect, who had been on the Command’s wanted list for a considerable period, was apprehended in his hideout in Ile-Oluji, where he had gone into concealment after escaping arrest in Ondo town.
It will be recalled that on 13th July 2025 at about 2245hrs, suspected cultists of the Alora Confraternity launched an unprovoked and violent attack at Template Club and Bar in Ondo, during which several innocent individuals were injured. Preliminary investigations have linked Muhammed Taofeeq to this attack, along with other violent crimes including suspected murder, armed assault, and cult rivalry clashes that have disrupted public peace in the area.
Furthermore, intelligence at the disposal of the Command revealed that the suspect was actively plotting a massive and deadly attack aimed at disrupting the forthcoming Students’ Union Government (SUG) election at the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji. He had reportedly concluded arrangements to launch coordinated attacks before, during, and after the election process, in a bid to instill fear, manipulate the outcome, and assert dominance on behalf of his cult group.
The timely arrest of the suspect has effectively neutralized the impending threat, and his detention has so far yielded critical leads toward dismantling the broader cultist network responsible for widespread insecurity in the region. He is currently in police custody and is assisting with ongoing investigations.
Efforts are being intensified to arrest the remaining fleeing cult members, while surveillance and intelligence operations have been stepped up to ensure the safety of students, residents, and the integrity of all democratic processes in the State.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the recent successes recorded by the Ondo State Police Command underscore our unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the State. From the rescue of kidnapped victims and the arrest of ritualists and cultists, to the dismantling of car theft syndicates and the resolution of complex murder investigations, these achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of proactive policing, inter-agency collaboration, and the invaluable support of the public.
While a number of suspects remain at large, we wish to assure the public that relentless efforts are ongoing to apprehend all fleeing individuals and bring them to justice. The Command remains fully dedicated to ensuring that no criminal act goes unresolved and that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are held accountable under the law.
We urge members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative. Timely and credible information from the public continues to play a vital role in our operations. We encourage everyone to report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.
The Ondo State Police Command will not relent in its duty to ensure the safety and security of all residents. Thank you.
