In a significant breakthrough, the Ogun State Police Command has disrupted a kidnapping attempt in Abigi and arrested Clement Elijah, a wanted serial kidnapper linked to a major 2024 case in Ajelanwa village. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence and community tips, apprehended Elijah after he resurfaced in the Ibiade area with plans to abduct a prominent resident of Ago Village.
The police had previously arrested two of Elijah’s accomplices connected to the same crime, signaling an ongoing crackdown on kidnapping rings in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, revealed in a Tuesday statement that Elijah’s return on June 13 was motivated by a fresh kidnapping plot. “Elijah arrived Ibiade community on June 13, 2025, and planned to abduct a prominent individual in Ago Village, Abigi, but his sinister mission was thwarted through timely collaboration between the police and vigilant residents,” she said.
A subsequent clearance operation on June 16 resulted in the arrest of Posi Friday, believed to be the gang’s arms supplier. Confiscated weapons included a pump-action rifle, a homemade pistol, and live ammunition concealed in a boom speaker.
Commissioner of Police Lanre Ogunlowo praised the communities for their vigilance, emphasizing the importance of their cooperation in crime prevention. “We appreciate the sustained communication and support from the communities. Their role was critical in preventing yet another crime and in the apprehension of these suspects,” Ogunlowo stated.
Additionally, the police detained 14 suspected cultists from rival factions in Ijebu Ode on June 16 as they allegedly prepared for violent supremacy clashes during their institution’s signing-out events. The Anti-Cultism team arrested the suspects in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele, and Imaweje neighborhoods.
Odutola confirmed, “Operatives of the Anti-Cultism team arrested 14 suspected cultists of two rival groups planning attacks over superiority on June 16, 2025. The suspects were rounded up in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele areas and Imaweje areas in Ijebu Ode as they assembled to mark their institution’s examinations signing out.”
The suspects and recovered arms are now held at the State Criminal Investigation Department as investigations proceed.
