A 55-year-old man abducted in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State has escaped from his kidnappers while they were asleep, leading to the arrest of two suspected members of the gang.
The victim, identified as Idowu Alade, was reportedly kidnapped around 6pm on August 21, 2026, at Aroge Camp, via Idoani, after leaving his residence to buy a network recharge card.
When he failed to return home, concerned community members began searching for him the following morning.
Following a report at the Idoani Police Division, operatives joined forces with personnel of the Amotekun Corps, Ose Bravers Vigilante Group and local hunters to comb the surrounding bushes in search of the missing man.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, Alade reportedly freed himself from the kidnappers’ hideout around 4am on August 23 while his captors were asleep.
He subsequently made his way through the Ifira area, where security operatives, acting on intelligence, located and secured him.
The victim, who sustained injuries during his ordeal, was given medical attention before assisting the police with the investigation.
According to the Ondo State Police Command, a red alert was immediately raised across the area, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, Usman Shaibu, 25, and Sanni Musa, 27.
The suspects were intercepted by a patrol team from the Isua Division around 2:15pm on August 23.
Police said Alade later positively identified the two men during a formal identification process, alleging that they were among those who abducted him.
The victim’s mobile phone was also reportedly recovered from the suspects.
The police said the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement and provided information about other suspected members of the criminal network, including an alleged accomplice believed to be based in Auchi.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed that the suspects and case file be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for further investigation and efforts to apprehend other members of the gang.
The command commended the security agencies and local groups involved in the search, describing their collaboration as instrumental to the victim’s rescue and the arrest of the suspects.
The police urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
