By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Police in Ondo State have arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction of a 55-year-old man, Idowu Alade, who escaped from his captors’ hideout in a forest in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
Alade was reportedly abducted at about 6 p.m. on August 21, 2026, at Aroge Camp, via Idoani, while on his way to buy a recharge card.
Members of his community reportedly began searching for him the following morning after he failed to return home.
According to the victim, he escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout at about 4 a.m. on August 23 while his captors were asleep.
He said he trekked through the forest before eventually emerging in the Ifira area, where security operatives located and secured him following credible intelligence.
The victim was subsequently taken for medical attention for injuries allegedly sustained during the incident.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said operatives of the Idoani Division mobilised immediately after receiving the report.
He said the police worked with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, Ose Bravers Vigilante Group and local hunters to search for the victim.
“The joint security team commenced an intensive search and bush-combing operation to locate and rescue the victim,” Abayomi said.
He added that after regaining sufficient strength, Alade positively identified two suspects during a formal identification process at the police station.
“Significantly, the victim’s mobile phone was recovered from the suspects, further strengthening the investigation,” the police spokesperson said.
According to Abayomi, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime and provided information on other persons suspected to be involved, including an alleged accomplice said to be based in Auchi.
He said the suspects and case file would be transferred to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
Abayomi commended the swift response and collaboration among security agencies and local stakeholders, assuring residents that the Command remained committed to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and detection.
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