Ondo ritual kidnapping gang arrested
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four men suspected to be part of a gang involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, and ritual (money‑making) activities.
According to the police, the gang is led by one Ifeoluwa Julius, a resident of Ogbese town in Akure North Local Government Area. Intelligence officers say they had monitored the group for some time because of repeated violent offenses in the area.
In a coordinated SWAT unit operation, the suspects were apprehended on the outskirts of Ogbese after reports that they had recently returned from a trip. The trip was allegedly to acquire “charms” or criminal fortifications to strengthen their capacity for further criminal activity.
During searches, the police recovered alarming items from Julius, including an expended cartridge from a firearm, various fetish materials, and a red-and-white cloth stained with blood. These items, according to the authorities, point to the gang’s use of ritualistic practices to empower themselves.
Under interrogation, Ifeoluwa Julius confessed to being a “ritualist” and admitted that he and his collaborators were involved in multiple kidnappings around the Ogbese area. He also confirmed that their trip to obtain charms was deliberate and meant to boost their criminal “fortifications” for future operations.
The police have pledged to charge the suspects in court once investigations are complete. Ondo State’s police command praised the SWAT operatives for their professionalism and intelligence-driven work in dismantling the dangerous gang.
