Ondo Police Arrest Suspects Over Abduction of Traffic Officer

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested several suspects in connection with a series of traffic-related offences, including the abduction of a senior traffic warden, assault on a police officer, and reckless driving.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the arrests followed separate incidents in Akure and its environs.

According to the police, the first incident occurred on April 3, 2026, when two suspects, Olopade Abraham and Emmanuel Taiwo, allegedly disobeyed traffic lights at Cathedral Junction in Akure. A Senior Traffic Warden, Kehinde Oliniju, intercepted the vehicle and instructed the driver to head to the station. Instead, the driver sped off with the officer still inside the car.

“While being directed to proceed to the station, the driver suddenly detoured to an unknown destination with the officer still in the vehicle,” the statement read.

A patrol team from the Fanibi Division responded swiftly after an alarm was raised and intercepted the vehicle at Winners Chapel Junction along Ondo Road. The traffic warden was rescued unharmed, and the suspects were taken into custody along with the vehicle.

In a related incident on April 5 at about 9:30 p.m., a patrol team on routine duty at the Oba-Ile axis intercepted a vehicle driving against traffic. During the operation, a woman, Mrs. Adeyanju Tolutope, alongside her husband who is currently at large, allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted a police officer.

“During the enforcement process… she confronted the officers and violently resisted lawful arrest. In the process, she assaulted a police officer,” Jimoh added.

The command said Tolutope has been arrested and has made useful statements, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend her fleeing husband. All suspects have been charged in court.

Reacting to the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended officers for their professionalism and restraint. He reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for traffic violations and any form of assault or obstruction against law enforcement personnel.

The police urged members of the public to comply with traffic regulations and lawful directives.