The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to the abduction and killing of two hostages in Edo State.
The suspects, identified as 25-year-old Gafaru Adamu and 20-year-old Muhammed Sanni, were apprehended in the Ijebu-Ode area following intelligence-led investigations by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola, said the arrests were made after personnel of the Nigeria Forest Security Service intercepted two suspicious individuals in the Atiba area of Ijebu-Ode and alerted the police.
Preliminary investigations, according to the command, revealed that the suspects were being sought in connection with an ongoing kidnapping and murder case in the Okada area of Edo State.
Police intelligence further indicated that the duo allegedly belongs to a seven-member kidnapping syndicate believed to be responsible for the crime.
During a search conducted on the suspects, operatives recovered a police camouflage uniform and three mobile phones suspected to be relevant to the investigation.
The police said the recovered items had been documented and taken into custody as exhibits to aid further inquiries.
The command added that since the alleged offences were committed in Edo State, the suspects and all exhibits would be handed over to the Edo State Police Command for continuation of the investigation and possible prosecution.
According to the statement, the transfer is in line with existing inter-state policing arrangements and collaboration among police commands across the country.
Reacting to the development, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives involved in the operation, describing the arrests as a reflection of effective intelligence gathering and cooperation among security agencies.
He reiterated the command’s determination to prevent Ogun State from serving as a safe haven or transit route for criminal elements and assured residents of sustained efforts to strengthen security through intelligence-driven policing.
The police boss also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies to support the fight against crime.
The latest arrests come weeks after operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit neutralised two suspected kidnappers and arrested two others during a separate operation in the Ijebu axis of the state.