By MUFTAU OGUNYEMI

The Police Command in Ondo says the abduction of Mr Omoniyi Samuel, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), was aided by the commercial motorcyclist who routinely conveys him to work.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, made this known in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Akure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Samuel, who was abducted on Aug.4 in his house along Supare-Akungba in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, was released on Aug.10.

Ayanlade said seven suspects had been arrested in the connection with the abduction.

He said the 45 year-old motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, used his familiarity to spy on the victim’s movements.

“On Aug.4 2025, he (Alaba) visited the victim’s residence without prior arrangement, under the pretence of requesting a handset.

“This was later confirmed to be a calculated ploy to study the victim’s activities and create an opening for the syndicate.

“Shortly after his departure, other gang members moved in and abducted the lecturer.

“Further inquiry revealed that Ogungbemi Wasiu (42 years) of Okeruwa, Ikare, provided the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family to demand a ransom of N5 million.

“Although he claimed the handset was lost on Aug.2, 2025, he failed to report the loss to the police, a deliberate omission that aided the criminal enterprise.

“His role was critical in maintaining communication between the kidnappers and the victim’s relatives, thus facilitating the ransom negotiations,” he said.

The spokesperson said investigations also linked Audu Shaibu, 25; Ismaila Abdullahi, 24; Nuru Bature, 18; Usman Baba, 20; and Yusuf Muhammed, 23, all of Agopanu, Owo, to the physical execution of the kidnapping.

According to him, the seamless coordination between Benson Alaba’s surveillance, Ogungbemi Wasiu’s communication support, and the aggressive role of the five field operatives clearly points to a well-organised kidnap syndicate.

“The command wishes to categorically dismiss earlier unfounded reports suggesting that the suspects were arrested while sharing ransom money.

“In reality, their apprehension was the result of carefully coordinated follow-up operations based on credible intelligence, and not during any alleged ransom-sharing activity.

“The command strongly warns against the dangers of disinformation and misinformation, as they have the potential to mislead the public, undermine ongoing investigations, and erode trust in security agencies.

“False narratives not only distort the truth but can also embolden criminal elements by creating confusion and distraction from the facts.

“The public is, therefore, urged to verify information from credible and official sources before dissemination,” he said. (NAN, but headline rejigged)