Seven suspects involved in the kidnapping of Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a senior staff member of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, have been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command.
Among the arrested suspects was the regular commercial motorcyclist of Omoniyi, Benson Alaba, 45, who gave his gang the necessary information for the abduction.
Eleyinmi, a faculty officer in the institution’s Faculty of Education, was abducted on August 4, 2025 with N7 million ransom demanded for his release by the kidnappers.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, said Alaba had always conveyed Eleyinmi from the university’s gate to his residence in Supare-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Council Area of the state.
The PPRO emphasised that Alaba explored his familiarity with Eleyinmi to kidnap him following his connivance with Wasiu Ogungbemi, 42, Audu Shaibu, 25 years, Ismaila Abdullahi, 24 years, Nuru Bature, 18 years, Usman Baba, 20 years, and Yusuf Muhammed, 23 years.
Ayanlade stated that the arrests followed a discreet, intelligence-driven operation by operatives of the Command, which uncovered the coordinated roles each suspect played in the crime.
“His role was critical in maintaining communication between the kidnappers and the victim’s relatives, thus facilitating the ransom negotiations. 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 kidnapping syndicate.”
With the victim currently receiving medical attention at the Adekunle Ajasin University Health Centre, the Police assured that investigation into the case will continue to ensure the arrest other fleeing accomplices.
Police identify abducted Ondo varsity official’s regular motorcyclist as kidnap kingpin
