This was disclosed on Saturday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), while briefing journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting held in Akure, the state capital.

Ajulo stated that the decision forms part of an aggressive crackdown on the rising wave of insecurity in the state, especially cases of kidnapping and cult-related violence. He further revealed that buildings and facilities used in facilitating kidnapping operations will also be subject to demolition after proper judicial processes.

According to him, the Ondo State House of Assembly is expected to commence a review of the state’s anti-kidnapping law to explicitly provide for the death penalty by hanging as punishment for convicted kidnappers.

“The governor, being a lover of the rule of law, will not act arbitrarily like in some other states. Due process in the court will be followed before any demolition or execution,” Ajulo emphasized.

He added that the move is also intended to reassure investors of their safety and that of their investments, as the state prioritizes security and rule of law.

Meanwhile, Ondo becomes the second Nigerian state in 2025 to declare death by hanging as the ultimate penalty for kidnapping. Earlier in April, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also announced that convicted kidnappers in the state would face execution by hanging.

Governor Okpebholo expressed his commitment to signing death warrants and enforcing the newly amended Kidnapping Prohibition Law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly. He warned that properties used in criminal activities would be confiscated and demolished, and the lands repurposed for security infrastructure.

“I will not be afraid to sign execution orders. We will bring kidnappers to the public and execute them to show our seriousness, according to the laws already passed,” the Edo governor had stated.

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The Ogun State Police Command has neutralised no fewer than five suspected kidnappers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in a coordinated operation aimed at curbing rising criminal activities on the major highway.

This was confirmed in a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, who detailed the swift response of security operatives to a distress call from commuters.

According to Odutola, the Area Commander of Sagamu received reports of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, prompting an immediate deployment of a crack team of officers to the scene.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic,” she stated.

The assailants, she added, abducted three individuals—Bolaji Bilesanmi (65), Olasunkanmi Idowu (50), and Mohammed Salisu—dragging them into the forest from two vehicles: a Honda Pilot (Lagos EKY113GZ) and a Honda Accord (Lagos KJA13QFA).

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered a covert operation spearheaded by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

“On January 29, 2025, at about 04:00 hours, operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout. Upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange, five kidnappers were fatally injured, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” Odutola disclosed.

Recovered from the suspected kidnappers were an AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, ₦5.2 million suspected to be proceeds of crime, and three mobile phones.

She further confirmed that the three kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate.

The Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and issued a stern warning to individuals involved in criminal activities, particularly those targeting innocent commuters.

He assured residents that the police will continue to intensify efforts to ensure the safety of travelers and the general public in Ogun State.

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Ifeoma was said to have been abducted in Onitsha by unknown gunmen. Despite the payment of ransom, her abductors allegedly killed her and dumped her body around Ideani junction along the Nnobi/Alor Road.

The grim incident was brought to public attention on Tuesday by human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishi, through a Facebook post. He condemned the growing insecurity in the state and shared a distressing image of the victim’s corpse lying by the roadside.

Gwamnishi wrote: “Ifeoma, a banker, was kidnapped in Anambra State. Ransom was demanded, and the family paid, but her abductors still killed her and dumped her body around Ideani junction Nnobi/Alor road.

Lives are being taken daily, and it’s sad nothing is being done to end all these killings. WHO IS NEXT? If we keep folding our hands and do nothing, it may get to you.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the victim’s body had been recovered from the scene.

Ikenga said: “The command received the information about an abandoned female corpse found along the Nnobi-Alor Road allegedly dumped by suspected kidnappers.

The corpse has been evacuated, the pictures have been escalated, and investigations have begun to unravel the circumstances behind the death of the victim.”

The killing of Ifeoma adds to the growing concerns over the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes in Anambra State. Residents are calling on security agencies and the government to intensify efforts to curb the menace and bring the perpetrators to justice.

As investigations continue, the family of the deceased is left in mourning, grappling with the painful loss of their loved one despite complying with the kidnappers’ demands.

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The Nigerian police said it has rescued no fewer than 58 kidnapped victims at Udulu Forest, Gegu LGA of Kogi State, bordering Sardauna Forest, Nasarawa State, and other identified kidnappers’ den in communities contiguous to the Federal Capital Territory.

Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, made this known in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the bandits/kidnappers on sighting the security team coordinated by the police, engaged the security team in a shootout duel.

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The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sina Olukolu, informed that the Operation “Puff Adder” yielded results in joint operations with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives:

Mr. Olukolu explained, “They raided all black spots to rid the state of crime and criminality. We have rejigged our security architecture through community and intelligence-led policing. We also revamped vehicular patrol operation. These strategies resulted in reduction in crime rate, leading to peace and security.

“Two suspected notorious armed robbers were arrested at Idi-Aro, Asanke, Ibadan, where they usually converged before and after their criminal activities. The suspects confessed to have masterminded series of nefarious activities within Ibadan metropolis. They were identified as Solomon and Idowu. One cut-to-size single barrel gun, hair dryer eight phone and DVD recorder were recovered

“SARS operatives in Saki arrested one Salami for illegal sales of arms and ammunition to armed robbers and kidnappers. Seven hundred and fifty cartridges smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic were found on him. Four notorious suspected armed bandits who invaded Oke-Funfun Housing Estate, Arulogun Road, Ojoo, Ibadan, were also arrested.

“The hoodlums killed one Robert Abayomi, 70, during a robbery operation. The suspects, Busari, Suleiman, Sakiru and Sola confessed to the crime.

“SARS operatives also arrested 13 suspected cult members of the notorious Eiye Confraternity in Saki, Oke-Ogun. They had gathered to initiate 10 new members when they were arrested. They are students from Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, University of Ibadan and National Open University. One jack knife, one live cartridge, two black caps, charms and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

“Operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS), arrested three suspected hoodlums armed with AK47 rifles, pump action rifles and other dangerous weapons. They laid ambush at a desolate spot along Igbo-Ora/Eruwa Road, intercepted vehicles including a trailer, attacked their passengers and dispossessed them of money and other valuable items.

“SARS operatives at Moniya Division arrested three suspects identified as Sodiq Hammed and Nduka. They also arrested a suspected supplier of ammunition to different armed robbery and kidnapping syndicates. Another suspect, Sunday was arrested and arms recovered from him. Other suspects arrested were Omulu, David, Abdullahi and Ajani.

“Personnel of the Operation Puff Adder are in strategic areas in Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Eruwa, Saki and Lagos/Ibadan Expressway to checkmate criminals. Community policing has really assisted us to have good relationship with traditional rulers, market women, students and youths”, the police boss concluded.

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Hayab, who expressed dismay at the frequent occurrence of kidnapping and other social vices, noted that the government at all levels must take decisive steps to end the ugly situation in the country.

Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday at the closing of the 53rd Annual Convention of the United Church of Christ In Nations (HEKAN) he said, “The government must do more on intelligence gathering. These kidnappers are not spirits, they are humans, they can be traced and stopped.”

Hayab, who has been at the forefront of championing peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims for decades, said that the killings in any part of Northern Nigeria needed no rhetorics.

“We as a church and Christian leaders appeal to government to act beyond rhetoric, the fact is that the government needs to do more,” he submitted.

He lamented that insecurity had denied Kaduna State of many things.

“Everyday you are paying money to kidnappers, everyday people are scared of engaging in their normal activities, this is worrisome,” he added.

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The Enugu State Police Command said its operatives in the 9th Mile Division rescued
Pa Obi and his driver, simply identified as Ishaya John at about 2:30pm on Monday in Egede Udi forest, along old Egede Affa road in the state.

It was gathered that Pa Obi and his driver were abducted along Markurdi-Enugu road last week on his way from Jos in his grey-colored Toyota Prado SUV with the registration number, MUS 604CG and whisked away to unknown destination.

However, the command said the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, hale and hearty.

The Command’s Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement issued on Monday and obtained by DAILY POST, said Pa Obi and the driver had since reunited their respective families.

He said, “The abductors started calling to demand a ransom of 10 million naira before the operatives acting on intelligence information swooped on them where a gun duel ensued, which forced the hoodlums to abandon their victims inside the forest and they were promptly rescued.

“At the office of the commissioner of police, team of doctors from the police medical unit conducted medical check on Pa Obi and also confirmed that he is hale and hearty.

“The state police command is appealing to members of the public particularly hospital owners and operators to watch out for any one with injury or wound believed to be that of bullet for prompt necessary action just as a full scale investigations have commenced into the incident.”

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