A major breakthrough in Ondo State’s fight against organized crime has led to the arrest of Pastor Terry Tinate Augustus, a suspected notorious kidnapper, following a joint operation by Engr. Alore Omosuyi, the Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Waterways Security, and the Amotekun Corps in the Ilaje Local Government Area.
The operation, which took place in the Alape community of Ilaje, followed a tip-off from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad.
Augustus, also known as “Black,” is believed to be a key member of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for high-profile abductions and extortion in Lagos.
The operation was triggered by a kidnapping incident in Lagos on December 8. After receiving intelligence, Engr. Omosuyi and the Amotekun Corps tracked Augustus to a remote hideout in Alape, where he was apprehended.
Augustus, a self-proclaimed pastor from Ajapa in Ese Odo LGA, Ondo State, is alleged to be involved in the abduction of Mr. Isa Ososa from Lamgbasa, Ajah, Lagos.
A ransom of $52,000 was reportedly paid for his release, according to an arrested gang member, Promise Mafimisebi.
The gang is said to specialize in targeting wealthy individuals using surveillance and swift abduction tactics. After his arrest, Augustus was handed over to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad 1 on December 9, 2024.
In an interview, Engr. Omosuyi, a security expert, emphasized the importance of public vigilance in combating crime.
He urged residents, particularly in riverine areas, to report any suspicious activities, stating, “When you see something, you say something. Information is power and crucial to ensuring security.”
