Police Foil N14m Ransom Payment, Rescue Kidnap Victim and Arrest Suspects in Ondo
A complex and daring criminal operation unravelled in Ondo State over the weekend when the state police command successfully foiled a planned ransom exchange of ₦14 million, rescued a kidnapped victim unhurt, and arrested multiple suspects involved in a string of violent crimes including armed robbery, cultism, and kidnapping. The remarkable rescue operation, carried out through a collaboration between the Nigerian Police Force and local hunters, marks a significant victory in the fight against insecurity in the region.
The details of the operation, revealed by the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Wilfred Afolabi, at a press conference held at the command headquarters in Akure on Saturday, May 17, 2025, have drawn both relief and praise from residents and civil society groups who had raised concerns over increasing reports of abductions and violent crimes across the state.
The incident began on Tuesday, May 14, 2025, when 38-year-old Ogunniyi Semiu, a businessman and mining engineer, was abducted near Ikare Mine, located in Akoko North-East Local Government Area. According to family members, Semiu had gone to supervise operations at the mine when he was suddenly surrounded and whisked away by armed assailants into the surrounding forested region.
Initial reports suggested that the kidnappers were heavily armed and strategically familiar with the terrain—prompting speculation that insiders or local collaborators may have aided the criminal gang. Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers established contact with Semiu’s family and demanded a ransom of ₦14 million for his release.
YOU MAY READ
Fifteen Kidnapped Victims Regain Freedom After Five Days in Captivity in Enugu
The family immediately reported the matter to the Ondo State Police Command, and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, in collaboration with tactical units and local hunters familiar with the dense forest areas, launched an intelligence-driven operation.
According to CP Afolabi, actionable intelligence pointed to a rendezvous location near Supare Mine—roughly 15 kilometers from the site of the kidnapping—where the suspects were believed to be holding their captive and awaiting ransom payment. Based on this information, security operatives laid a strategic ambush in the early hours of Saturday, May 17.
“At approximately 3:45 AM, our men, along with local hunters, engaged in a well-coordinated assault on the kidnappers’ suspected hideout,” Afolabi said.
“As expected, the criminals opened fire in a desperate attempt to escape. A fierce gun battle ensued for over 25 minutes, after which several suspects sustained gunshot injuries. One of the key suspects, Babuga Muhammed, a native of Iseyin in Oyo State, was arrested at the scene.”
Despite the intensity of the confrontation, no casualties were recorded among the police or the hunters, and most importantly, the victim, Ogunniyi Semiu, was rescued alive and unhurt. CP Afolabi emphasized that no ransom was paid.
YOU MAY READ
The Vanishing of Big Ben: Inside the Alleged Kidnap of a Real Estate Mogul in Anambra
The rescue of Semiu was just the beginning. Over the course of the weekend, intensified follow-up operations by the police led to the arrest of twelve additional suspects, believed to be involved in various criminal activities across Ondo State. The full list of suspects as released by the police includes:
- Babuga Muhammed
- Ibrahim Uma
- Paul Osanyinduro
- Abubakar Bamoh
- Olaoluwa Olootu
- Aliu Raymond
- Yahaya
- Hasminu Jibirimi
- Hammed Olabode
- Adegoke Olayemi
Police reports indicate that while some of these individuals were directly involved in Semiu’s abduction, others were linked to cases of armed robbery, burglary, and cult-related violence in various parts of Akoko, Owo, and Akure.
During interrogation, some of the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in multiple criminal operations, providing critical insights into the network of crime syndicates operating in the region. According to CP Afolabi, these confessions are being corroborated with intelligence reports, and further arrests are expected.
The arrest of Babuga Muhammed has attracted particular attention from both law enforcement and the public. Described as a hardened and well-connected kidnapper, Muhammed was reportedly responsible for coordinating logistics and liaising with external collaborators. Sources within the police suggest that he may be a part of a wider cross-state kidnapping network that has been active across the Southwest and North Central regions.
Currently receiving treatment for gunshot wounds at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Muhammed remains under tight police watch. A security source disclosed that he had attempted to bribe operatives with information on hidden weapons and locations of accomplices in exchange for leniency—a proposal the authorities rejected.
The news of the rescue and multiple arrests sparked jubilation across Ikare and neighboring communities, many of which have endured months of anxiety over increasing kidnappings and insecurity. Family members of Semiu were overwhelmed with relief, describing the police intervention as “nothing short of divine.”
Speaking to journalists shortly after reuniting with his family, Semiu expressed gratitude to God, the police, and the hunters who risked their lives for his freedom.
“I was in their custody for three days, tied, blindfolded, and kept in a hollow dug into the forest floor. I heard their plans. They were ready to kill me if they didn’t get the money. I thank the police for acting fast. God bless them,” he said.
Civil society organizations, including the Ondo Justice & Security Watch, lauded the police for their professional conduct and called for continued investment in community policing.
“Security in Nigeria cannot succeed without the cooperation of locals. This is why the inclusion of hunters in the operation is a commendable step,” said Dapo Akinro, the group’s spokesperson.
At the press briefing, CP Afolabi reaffirmed the commitment of the police to eliminate criminal networks from Ondo State. He called on residents to assist by reporting suspicious activity and assured that informants would be protected.
“This command is determined to reclaim every inch of our land from criminal elements. We shall leave no forest, road, or corner unchecked. Our tactical teams are on alert 24/7. With the support of the people, we will make Ondo a fortress of safety,” Afolabi stated.
He also emphasized that the suspects would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and any official or civilian found to be aiding or harboring criminals would face equal justice.
While the successful operation has brought hope, it has also reignited conversations about the broader insecurity plaguing parts of Ondo and neighboring states. Residents and traditional rulers in Akoko and Ose LGAs have long complained about the presence of strange herders and itinerant youths who move into ungoverned forest areas and establish illegal settlements that become breeding grounds for crime.
There have been calls for the federal government to speed up the deployment of forest guards and community security outfits that can work in collaboration with the police. Many point to the Amotekun Corps—an initiative launched by the South-West governors—as a model that needs further empowerment, funding, and training to function effectively.
The story of Ogunniyi Semiu’s rescue is both a reminder of the threats many Nigerians face daily and a testament to what is possible when the forces of law and order work in synergy with local communities. The Ondo Police Command has scored a victory, but as CP Afolabi warned, the battle is far from over.
The pursuit of the remaining suspects continues, and investigators are combing through phone records, bank transactions, and witness testimonies to trace the full extent of the criminal network.
Meanwhile, residents of Ikare, Supare, and surrounding towns are beginning to exhale. Night markets reopened on Sunday. Families that had locked themselves indoors after sunset have started returning to outdoor leisure. But beneath the relief lies a cautious optimism—hope that this will not be a one-time victory, but the beginning of sustained peace.
As Nigeria grapples with multifaceted security challenges, the events in Ondo over the weekend show that victories—however small—are possible through cooperation, intelligence sharing, and swift action. The rescue of Semiu without payment of ransom sends a bold message: criminals will be hunted, caught, and brought to justice.
Now, the onus lies on the state and federal authorities to consolidate these gains by strengthening institutions, investing in security infrastructure, and ensuring justice is served without delay.
With more operations like this and a vigilant populace, there is renewed hope that Ondo, and indeed Nigeria, can gradually reclaim its communities from the grip of fear.