BY MUFTAU OGUNYEMI

The Police Command in Ondo State says it has uncovered and foiled a staged kidnap orchestrated by a family member with the aim of fraudulently extorting money from relatives.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s Spokesperson, who made this known on Tuesday in Akure, said the arrest highlighted the command’s proactive approach to crime prevention and commitment to protecting residents from emerging criminals.

Ayanlade said the success was recorded when operatives from the Ogbese Division and non-state security operatives embarked on a routine bush-combing operation.

He explained that the operation was done at Kashimola/Agunla Forest along the farm road in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson said the operatives, which included Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), hunters, vigilantes, and others, intercepted a motorcycle conveying John Peter ‘m’, 30 years and James Peter ‘m’, both of Igbodudu Camp via Daada Ala.

Ayanlade explained that a thorough search of their belongings led to the recovery of N800,000, one packet roll of Benson cigarettes, and a bottle of Aromatic Schnapps, which raised immediate suspicion.

“Consequently, the operatives interrogated the duo, who revealed that the recovered money was intended as ransom for kidnappers who had supposedly abducted their younger brother, one Mathew Ekele ‘m’, 28 years.

“Building on the intelligence gathered from this disclosure, operatives strategically lured the suspected kidnapper to a designated position for ransom collection.

“Through intelligence-led policing and concerted operational efforts, one individual who showed up to receive the ransom was immediately arrested.

“However, further investigation deepened the unfolding narrative. It was discovered that the entire incident was a staged kidnapping engineered by the supposed victim (Matthew Ekele).

“Ekele was later arrested at a nearby bush along Ogbese Road, where he had positioned himself to collect the ransom after pretending to have been abducted.

“His motorcycle was also recovered during the operation, providing additional evidence of his involvement,” he said.

The spokesperson, therefore, urged the public to remain vigilant and to always report cases of kidnapping, suspicious activities, and other violent crimes directly to the police.

“Timely reporting is essential in preventing individuals from falling victim to stage-managed kidnapping schemes aimed at swindling families of their hard-earned money.

“The command remains resolute in its mandate to safeguard lives and properties while decisively combating all forms of criminality across the state,” he said. (NAN, but headline rejigged)