Ondo Police Uncover Forest Kidnappers’ Den with Deep Pit, Launch Investigation

DDM News

The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in a forest, containing a deep pit believed to have held victims.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that this revelation was made by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the Police Public Relations Officer, during a press briefing held on Thursday in Akure, the state capital.

According to Olushola, the operation began with the arrest of one Arohunmolase Idowu, aged 25, by the Epinmi Vigilante Group in the early hours of June 18, 2025.

He was reportedly apprehended for loitering suspiciously and could not provide a valid reason for being in the area at that odd hour.

His arrest prompted swift action from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Isua, who mobilised a joint security task force that included police officers and other local security agents.

Based on information extracted from Idowu during interrogation, the team moved swiftly and apprehended a second suspect, 26-year-old Bada Tosin, who also hails from Epinmi Akoko.

Further investigations and a search operation led the security team to a concealed building deep in the forest.

Inside the hideout, security operatives made a series of shocking discoveries.

They recovered two locally made dane guns, four cutlasses, four axes, assorted charms, and other dangerous items suspected to be used in criminal activities.

However, the most disturbing discovery was a large deep pit inside the structure.

Investigators suspect that the pit was used to confine or detain kidnapped victims, possibly for ransom or other nefarious purposes.

The police have not confirmed the number of victims or how long the den has been in operation but believe it was used for extensive criminal activities.

All the suspects, along with the weapons and other items recovered, have been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ondo State Police Command.

The unit has commenced a full-scale investigation to determine the scope of the kidnappers’ operations and identify possible accomplices or victims.

The Ondo Police Command reiterated its commitment to rooting out crime and protecting residents from threats such as kidnapping and armed robbery.

DSP Olushola praised the role of the Epinmi Vigilante Group, noting that community vigilance and cooperation are vital tools in modern policing.

He urged members of the public to continue sharing timely information and suspicious activities with the authorities.

The state command warned criminal elements to steer clear of Ondo State or face the full weight of the law.

Residents expressed mixed reactions to the discovery, with many praising the police and vigilante group for their swift action.

Some locals, however, expressed fears that there might be more such hideouts in the vast forested areas of the state.

Community leaders called on the government to provide more support to local security networks and increase surveillance in rural areas.

Security experts also stressed the importance of community-police collaboration in exposing criminal networks and protecting vulnerable communities.

This latest breakthrough is part of a wider effort by security agencies in the state to clamp down on rising cases of kidnapping and forest-based crime syndicates.

Just last month, another forest surveillance operation led to the arrest of suspected bandits and the dismantling of a drug trafficking camp.

Ondo State has, in recent times, faced security challenges, especially in remote areas where criminals exploit dense vegetation and poor road access to carry out illegal activities.

With the renewed focus on intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration, authorities believe that criminal hideouts can be identified and neutralized before more harm is done.

The Ondo State Government has yet to officially comment on the incident but is expected to issue a statement in the coming days.

Meanwhile, security patrols have been intensified in and around Epinmi Akoko and surrounding communities as part of preventive measures.

As investigations continue, the police have promised to provide updates to the public and encouraged anyone with useful information to come forward.

For now, the dismantling of this suspected kidnappers’ den represents a significant success in the ongoing war against insecurity in Ondo State.

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