Four Men Arraigned in Ondo for Alleged Kidnapping, Attempted Murder

Four Men Arraigned in Ondo for Alleged Kidnapping, Attempted Murder, over allegations of kidnapping, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants, Yahaya, 30; Ismail Illa, 20; Muhammadu, 25; and Idrisa, 27 were accused of abducting a 60-year-old farmer, Tijani Aremu, and attempting to kill a woman, Omolayo Aremu, in the Akoko area of the state.

Police prosecutor, Suleiman Adebayo, told the court that the crimes were committed on August 17, 2025, at about 4:00 p.m. at Ikuiye Awara Farm in Akoko, northern Ondo. He alleged that the four, armed with a short single-barrel gun, dagger, and other dangerous weapons, conspired with accomplices still at large to kidnap Aremu.

Nigerian Police Force

According to Adebayo, the victim was held for two days before his family was forced to pay a ransom for his release. On the same day, the suspects allegedly attempted to murder Omolayo Aremu by locking her inside a reservoir tank.

The prosecutor further informed the court that the defendants failed to provide satisfactory explanations for their possession of dangerous weapons.

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The offences, he noted, contravene Sections 6(b) and 2(a and b)(b) of the Ondo State Anti-Abduction and Anti-Kidnapping Law, 2010; Section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2024; and Section 320 of the Ondo State Criminal Code, 2006.

He therefore urged the court to remand the Four Men Arraigned at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

However, counsel to the defendants opposed the application and requested an adjournment to file a counter-affidavit.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered that the accused persons be remanded in police custody and adjourned the matter until September 18 for ruling on the remand application.

The arraignment underscores rising concerns over banditry and kidnapping in Ondo State, particularly in the northern senatorial zone, which has witnessed several abduction cases in recent years.