Police operatives in Ondo State have apprehended a suspected kidnapper identified as Godspower Cletus, accused of extorting ransom after allegedly threatening and robbing a woman at gunpoint in Odudu community, Akure.
The suspect was arrested after detectives tracked him to a Point of Sale (POS) terminal where he attempted to withdraw ₦1 million, part of the money reportedly demanded from the husband of his victim.
The suspect was said to have gained access to the home of Mrs Farimoyo Endurance, where he allegedly held her hostage, stole her mobile device and ATM card, and forced her to contact her husband with a demand of ₦5 million.
Security sources disclosed that the terrified woman was compelled to plead with her husband to make the transfer.
The man eventually credited his wife’s Opay account with ₦1 million to secure her safety.
After confirming the deposit, the suspect reportedly took off, unaware that the police had begun tracking his movements.
“He believed the operation was already successful, but he underestimated the reach of our intelligence team,” a senior officer familiar with the case remarked.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, stated that the Anti-Kidnapping Squad had intensified surveillance after receiving the incident report, which led to the arrest of the suspect during his withdrawal attempt.
“During questioning, the suspect admitted to committing the crime,” Olayinka said. He further revealed that detectives are now probing whether Cletus is linked to other kidnapping rings operating in the state.
The spokesperson praised the operatives, adding, “This swift interception underscores the Command’s renewed drive toward proactive crime prevention and improved response capability.”
Residents say the arrest has brought a sense of relief to the community, which has recorded pockets of robbery and kidnap-related threats in recent months.
The police assured that investigations will continue until all collaborators, if any, are exposed and prosecuted.
Moreover, authorities encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities, insisting that community vigilance remains crucial in reducing the spread of kidnapping and related crimes.