By Tosin Temiye
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction and murder of Mr. Alaba Abe, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member and coordinator of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization in Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
Abe was reportedly kidnapped and killed in his Supare Akoko residence in April 2024, during preparations for the APC governorship primary.
Arrest Details
The suspects, identified as Mohammed Sheu (21) and Abubakar Umar (24), were apprehended by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Friday.
Odunlami revealed that on November 14, 2024, officers conducting a stop-and-search operation at Ikare Junction intercepted a Hiace vehicle heading to Owo. Suspicious behavior from Sheu during the search prompted further interrogation.
“A voice note dropped as a message on his phone during interrogation. It was a reply from his friend, who is currently on the run, acknowledging Sheu’s earlier message asking if there were any kidnapping jobs available to earn money,” Odunlami stated.
Confessions and Further Investigation
Sheu was taken to the police station, where he confessed to participating in several criminal activities, including kidnapping and robbery, in areas such as Kogi, Niger, Akoko, Ifon, Ipele, and Owo. He detailed the gang’s modus operandi, which involved abducting victims from their homes and taking them into the bush to demand ransom.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Umar, who also admitted involvement in similar crimes.
“The suspects confessed to being responsible for the abduction at Supare Akoko, which led to the death of Mr. Alaba Abe in April 2024. They also admitted to a September kidnapping at a popular hotel in Owo,” Odunlami added.
Ongoing Efforts
The police confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the gang. The arrests mark a significant step in addressing security challenges in Ondo State, with the police reaffirming their commitment to protecting lives and property.