The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two suspects linked to the abduction and killing of Mr. Alaba Abe, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akoko-South Local Government Area. Abe, who served as the coordinator of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization in Akoko South-West LGA, was kidnapped and murdered in his Supare Akoko residence in April 2024 during preparations for the APC governorship primary.
The suspects, identified as Mohammed Sheu (21) and Abubakar Umar (24), were apprehended by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the police. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday.
Odunlami disclosed that Sheu was intercepted during a routine stop-and-search operation at Ikare Junction. A suspicious voice note on his phone led to further interrogation, where Sheu confessed to involvement in kidnapping and robbery activities across Kogi, Niger, Akoko, Ifon, Ipele, and Owo.
She explained, "Their modus operandi involves identifying victims' residences, abducting them, and taking them to the bush, where they demand ransom."
Sheu’s confession facilitated the arrest of Umar, who also admitted to being part of the gang responsible for several kidnappings, including the incident in Supare Akoko that resulted in Abe’s death. The suspects further confessed to kidnapping another individual from a popular hotel in Owo in September.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the group, according to the police spokesperson.
