Crackdown in Ondo: Police Uncover Ritual Syndicate, Rescue Kidnap Victims, Foil Cult Attack in Sweeping Security Gains
Ondo State, Nigeria – July 16, 2025
In what authorities have described as a major breakthrough in the ongoing war against crime, the Ondo State Police Command has announced a string of recent security achievements, including arrests of armed robbers, ritualists, kidnappers, and cultists, alongside high-profile rescue operations and the dismantling of vehicle theft syndicates across the state.
The developments were disclosed during a press briefing by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Adebowale, who emphasized that the recent successes stem from “intelligence-led policing, robust inter-agency collaboration, strategic use of technology, and the unrelenting support of community stakeholders.”
According to the commissioner, officers across various divisions, supported by forensic tracking tools and real-time digital surveillance, successfully tackled multiple forms of crime including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, sexual violence, and ritual killings. Below are highlights from the command’s most recent operations:
Stolen Vehicle Recovered, Suspects Arrested
On July 6, detectives from Ore Area Command intercepted a white LT bus loaded with stolen goods and arrested two suspects—Jimoh Abdulmumuni, 28, and Jeremiah Lebe Igwe, 50. The principal suspect confessed to stealing the bus from his employer in Lagos. The stolen vehicle has been recovered and the suspects are in custody pending prosecution.
Armed Robber Nabbed in Ore
A notorious robber, Agent Oluwatobi, was arrested on July 10 following a robbery incident at a hotel in Ore, where he and his gang dispossessed a victim of his phone. “We acted swiftly on credible intelligence, and efforts are underway to apprehend his accomplices,” said the commissioner.
Kidnap Victim Rescued in Akoko
Police operatives in Supare Akoko, in collaboration with local hunters, rescued one Abu Kehinde who had earlier escaped his kidnappers. The rescue followed a coordinated bush combing operation triggered by a report of abduction.
Student Rescued from Ritualists in Akure
In one of the most disturbing cases, a 17-year-old female student of OAUSTECH, Orowole Laughter, was rescued after being abducted by suspected ritualists. Four suspects, including a fellow student and an Ogboni cultist, were arrested. Incision marks were found on the victim’s body, suggesting ritual practices. Surveillance and a trap involving a bank transaction led to the arrests. The suspects confessed to initiating the victim for ritual purposes. She is currently receiving medical and psychological care.
Cultist Arrested at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic
One Owolabi Tobiloba, 21, was arrested following a violent cult attack at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. He confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity and was implicated in an assault inside an examination hall.
Vehicle Theft Syndicate Busted
SWAT operatives arrested ten suspects and recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla in a raid conducted between July 6 and July 12. The suspects confessed to a car theft ring that operated across Ondo, Lagos, and Edo States. Paul Niwa, identified as a key facilitator, was among those apprehended. Several other stolen vehicles remain unaccounted for.
Two AAUA Students Raped and Murdered in Chilling Kidnap Case
In a case that has sent shockwaves across the state, detectives uncovered the abduction, rape, and murder of two undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko—Abah John Friday, 25, and Okah Andrel Eloho, 19.
Investigations led to the arrest of Abdul Mubarak and Ojo Michael, who confessed to the brutal crimes. Michael further revealed the involvement of the victims’ landlord, Oladele Femi, who initiated the attack over a personal dispute. The female victim’s body was recovered from a bush in Ode-Ekiti; her male companion’s remains are still missing.
“These young lives were cut short in the most gruesome manner. We are committed to bringing every perpetrator of this atrocity to justice,” said the commissioner solemnly.
Child Rape Case Progresses to Court
The gender unit of the Command confirmed that a case involving the sexual violation of a 12-year-old girl by a community chief has been fully investigated and has now been charged to court.
Foiled Cult Attack on SUG Election in Ile-Oluji
On July 15, a cultist identified as Muhammed Taofeeq, 28, was arrested in connection with a plot to launch a deadly attack aimed at disrupting the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election at Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji. Intelligence revealed plans for coordinated violence before, during, and after the polls. The suspect, a known member of the Alora Confraternity, had been on the Command’s wanted list for months.
His arrest also connected him to the July 13 attack on a bar in Ondo town that left several injured.
“Thanks to timely intelligence and swift action, we thwarted what could have been a bloodbath,” the Commissioner stated.
In closing, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to safeguarding all residents in Ondo State:
“These successes are a testament to what is possible when we combine intelligence, technology, and public collaboration. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue supporting our efforts through timely reporting of suspicious activities.”
He added that investigations are ongoing in many of the cases and that all suspects still at large would be pursued with full force. Read More
