The police command in Ogun has arrested a suspect allegedly connected with the kidnap of a journalist, Oluseun Oduneye, at the Mobalufon area of Ijebu Ode on March 9.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the command’s public relations officer, said that the suspect was arrested on March 24.

He explained that the suspect, a 41- year-old man, was arrested following a technical and intelligence-based investigation by the command’s anti-kidnapping team, led by Taiwo Opadiran.

The police spokesman said the investigation led the team to the suspect’s hideout, where he was arrested.

Mr Oyeyemi explained that police officers attached to Obalende Police Divisional Headquarters traced the kidnappers to the Idimu area of Lagos state, where they engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle.

He said the kidnappers escaped with gunshot injuries, adding that the state commissioner of police, Frank Mba, ordered a manhunt for fleeing suspects, which led to the suspect’s arrest.

”The suspect was the one detailed to guard the victim in the bush while the two others were waiting for the ransom.

” Immediately he discovered that his other colleagues had been injured, he abandoned the victim and ran away.

” Luck, however, ran out on him when he was traced to his hideout in Ijebu-Ode, where he was apprehended,” the police spokesman said.

Mr Oyeyemi said a locally made pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from him.

He said the CP had commended the team and directed them to intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining gang members. 

(NAN)