The police in Ondo have apprehended two commercial cyclists, Sunday Komolafe and Lekan Temitope, for allegedly acting as spies for bandits.

Wilfred Afolabi, the state commissioner of police, disclosed this to journalists in Akure on Tuesday, saying five other suspected kidnappers were also apprehended at different locations within two weeks.

Mr Afolabi explained that Mr Komolafe, 39, known as Veego and Mr Temitope known as Legelege, were arrested by the police through intel and technical support.

“During interrogation, he confessed to being a motorcyclist who helps the kidnappers to get food for their victims while in custody and also receives money based on the number of people kidnapped.

“He (Sunday) also serves as a spy to inform them of movements along the road. He led police to Akunu-Akoko, where two suspected kidnappers, Umaru Abubakar Sanda and Yusuf Ahmadu, were arrested.

“Sanda confessed to being the one who guards the victims in the forest when they are brought to the base. Further interrogations led to the arrest of Lekan Temitope, a.k.a Legelege, who is also a motorcyclist who works for the kidnappers,” the police chief said.

He said two other suspected kidnappers, Ridwan Salisu, 45, and Umar Isyaku, 19, were arrested in Ipele, Owo Local Government Area.

Mr Afolabi explained that the duo was arrested on March 14, 2025, through coordinated intelligence-led policing, and Mr Salisu claimed that over N3.6 million found in their possession was for his Point of Sale (POS) business.

He, therefore, said investigations were ongoing to confirm if the money was the proceeds of ransoms paid by victims.

“Also, on February 24, 2025, joint efforts of the police and local vigilantes at Owo led to the arrest of one Abdullahi Mallam Bala, aged 21.

“Bala could not give a satisfactory account of what he was doing in the bush alone without being a nomad or having any reason to be in there.

“Further investigations revealed that he is one of the suspects on the run, part of the syndicate of Ibrahim Dan Umaru, who was arrested earlier in the year. Bala’s name has reoccurred in kidnapping-related cases,” he said.

Since the beginning of this year, Ondo State has been grappling with security challenges – particularly kidnapping – which has threatened the safety, stability, and livelihood of the residents.

Despite concerted efforts to nib in the bud the incessant kidnapping by security agencies, the latest brutal attack on some communities in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state has left residents in palpable fear, calling for government urgent action.