Police: Okada Rider Who Often Transported Ondo Varsity Lecturer Masterminded His Kidnapping
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a commercial motorcyclist, Benson Alaba, for allegedly orchestrating the kidnapping of a university lecturer he routinely transported to work.
Alaba, 45, of Akungba-Akoko, is accused of playing a key role in the abduction of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel Eleyinmi, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. The incident occurred on August 4, 2025, with the victim later released following the reported payment of ransom.
Police say Mr. Eleyinmi, who is currently receiving treatment at the university’s health centre, was targeted by Alaba due to the close relationship they had built over time.
In a statement issued Thursday, August 14, 2025, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olusola Ayanlade, said Alaba exploited his routine access to the lecturer’s movements to assist a kidnapping syndicate.
According to the statement, on the day of the abduction, Alaba visited the lecturer’s residence under the pretense of borrowing a mobile phone — a ruse investigators believe was intended to confirm the victim’s presence at home. Shortly after his visit, armed men stormed the residence and abducted the lecturer.
Further investigation linked a second suspect, Ogungbemi Wasiu, 42, of Okeruwa in Ikare, to the operation. Police allege he provided the Itel handset used to contact the lecturer’s family with a ransom demand of N5 million. Wasiu reportedly claimed the phone had been lost before the incident, but police noted he failed to report the loss, allowing the gang to exploit it for criminal use.
Five other suspects have been identified as the operatives who executed the abduction and directly communicated ransom demands. They include:
- Audu Shaibu, 25
- Ismaila Abdullahi, 24
- Nuru Bature, 18
- Usman Baba, 20
- Yusuf Muhammed, 23
All are said to be from Agopanu, Owo.
DSP Ayanlade described the coordination between Alaba’s surveillance role, Wasiu’s communication link, and the operatives on the ground as evidence of a well-organized kidnapping network.
The police also dismissed earlier reports that the suspects were caught while sharing ransom money, clarifying that the arrests were made through intelligence-driven follow-up operations.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, warned the public against spreading misinformation that could derail ongoing investigations. He reiterated the command’s commitment to apprehending all members of the gang still at large.
The CP also lauded the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his unwavering support and strategic leadership, which he said continues to enhance the Command’s operational effectiveness in tackling crime.
