The Ondo State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of two young brothers in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad following an intelligence-driven investigation into the incident.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the case was reported on May 12 by a resident identified as Andrew Yohana of the Jerry Sawmill area in Ore.

The complainant reportedly informed the police that his two sons, 10-year-old Jehu and 5-year-old Yohana, were abducted by unidentified persons while on their way to school.

Following the report, detectives were said to have immediately commenced investigations and visited the scene as part of efforts to track down those responsible.

The police spokesperson disclosed that through coordinated intelligence gathering, technical tracking, and detailed investigative operations, officers were able to identify and locate members of the suspected kidnapping network.

The operation initially led to the arrest of two suspects, Taofeek Lukman, 23, and Blessing Saturday, 27, in the Alaba area of Ore.

During the raid, operatives reportedly recovered N251,000 suspected to be part of the ransom paid by the victims’ family before the children were released.

Police authorities further stated that detectives later raided another hideout linked to the suspects, where they recovered an unregistered lady motorcycle allegedly used during the kidnapping operation.

Further investigations subsequently led to the arrest of three additional suspects identified as Peter Moses, 25, Sunday Isaac, 23, and Sanusi Dan Asabe, 37.

According to the Command, the suspects have reportedly made confessional statements detailing their individual involvement in the crime.

The police added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional items connected to the operation.

The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, commended the operatives for their professionalism and intelligence-led approach which led to the arrests.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state, while also praising the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for supporting proactive and intelligence-based policing strategies nationwide.

The Command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.