Kidnapping: Ondo community fears delay in prosecution of suspects

Residents of Ode-Irele community, headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, have expressed concern over the delay in the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the abduction of Mrs Morenike Falona, wife of businessman and community leader, Chief Babatunde Falona.

The residents also queried the continued silence of the Ondo State Police Command over the identities of the suspects, saying the development had heightened anxiety within the community.

The middle-aged woman was abducted on June 15, 2026, when armed men reportedly invaded her residence and whisked her away in the presence of her husband and other members of the family.

She regained her freedom three days later after a joint operation by security agencies, aided by members of the Ikale, Apoi and Arogbo-Ijaw communities, led to her rescue in a forest around Ijuosun.

Residents said they were later informed that four suspects linked to the incident had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, for interrogation.

However, they lamented that several weeks after the arrests, the suspects had neither been publicly identified nor arraigned before a court, raising fears that the matter might not be diligently pursued.

Speaking on behalf of the Falona family, a community leader and retired public servant, Sir Rufus Falona, appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State to expedite the investigation and ensure that those responsible were prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He said the continued silence surrounding the case had fuelled apprehension among residents, who were eager to see justice served.

Responding, the Ondo State Police Command dismissed suggestions that it was shielding the suspects, insisting that the investigation was still in progress.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Jimoh Abayomi, said investigations into kidnapping cases and other organised crimes are intelligence-driven and require confidentiality to prevent compromising ongoing operations.

He explained that releasing the identities of suspects or other sensitive details prematurely could jeopardise efforts to arrest other members of the criminal network and affect successful prosecution.

According to him, following the rescue of the victim, the command commenced extensive investigations, leading to the arrest and interrogation of suspects connected with the case.

Abayomi maintained that the command had no intention of concealing the identities of criminal suspects or frustrating the course of justice.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the command to professionalism, transparency and the rule of law, assuring that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and that the public would be appropriately updated.