Police nab suspected kidnapper while withdrawing ₦1m ransom in Ondo

Police detectives in Ondo State have arrested a suspected kidnapper, Godspower Cletus, after he attempted to withdraw a ₦1 million ransom allegedly collected from the husband of his victim.

According to reports by Vanguard, the suspect had earlier invaded the home of Mrs. Farimoyo Endurance in the Odudu community of Akure. Armed with a gun, he reportedly robbed her of her Android phone and ATM card before fleeing the scene.

A police source said during the incident, the suspect threatened the victim and compelled her to call her husband, through which he demanded a ransom of N5 million under duress.

According to the police source, the husband transferred N1 million to the victim’s Opay account.
“Upon confirming receipt of the payment, the suspect fled the scene, believing he had successfully carried out his criminal plan,” police said.

It was  gathered that through diligent intelligence gathering, detectives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad were able to track the suspect.

Speaking on the arrest, the state police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said police detectives’ efforts culminated in the arrest of the suspect at a POS point while attempting to withdraw the ransom money.

Ayanlade said: “Upon interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, and investigations are ongoing to determine if he has accomplices or links to similar criminal activities within the state.”
He commended “the swift and professional response of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.”

The police image maker noted that their “prompt action reflects the Command’s strengthened operational capability and commitment to proactive crime prevention.