The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) stated that Alaba, who frequently transported the victim to work, allegedly used his close relationship with the lecturer to track his movements.
According to the statement, on August 4, 2025, Alaba reportedly visited the lecturer’s home under the guise of borrowing a mobile phone — a move police believe was a setup for the abduction.
Moments after he left, members of the gang stormed the residence and kidnapped the lecturer.
Investigators later linked the operation to 42-year-old Ogungbemi Wasiu of Okeruwa, Ikare, who allegedly supplied the Itel phone used to contact the victim’s family and demand a ₦5 million ransom.
Although Wasiu insisted the phone had been lost before the crime, police noted he failed to report the loss, enabling the gang to use it in ransom negotiations.
Five other suspects — Audu Shaibu (25), Ismaila Abdullahi (24), Nuru Bature (18), Usman Baba (20), and Yusuf Muhammed (23), all from Agopanu, Owo — were identified as those who carried out the kidnapping and directly made ransom calls to the family.
DSP Ayanlade explained that Alaba’s surveillance, Wasiu’s provision of communication tools, and the field operatives’ actions showed the operation was a coordinated effort by a well-structured kidnapping syndicate.
The Command also refuted earlier reports that the suspects were caught sharing ransom money, clarifying they were arrested after targeted follow-up operations based on credible intelligence.
Commissioner of Police CP Adebowale Lawal warned against spreading misinformation that could mislead the public or disrupt investigations. He reaffirmed that efforts are underway to capture other gang members still at large and praised the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his continued support and strategic guidance, which has strengthened the Command’s fight against crime.
