Suspected kidnappers, ritualists’ den discovered beside State Assembly

Residents of Alagbaka area in Akure, Ondo State have reportedly uncovered a suspected

The crime abode, Punch reported, is an uncompleted two-storey building situated only a few meters away from the Ondo State House of Assembly.

Reportedly owned by a retired civil servant in the state, suspected criminals were captured by the residents after a gunshot meant to kill a bird around the neighbourhood scared the criminals.

“The suspects thought the gunshot was from the policemen who came for them. They quickly rushed out, but some commercial motorcycle riders in the area helped us to chase and arrest four of them, whom we later handed over to the police,” a source was quoted to have said.

Police make several arrests

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said many suspects have been arrested in connection with the matter.

Joseph said, “Wehave arrested quite a number of them and we are currently interrogating them. It is after the interrogation and investigation that we can conclude whether they are ritualists or not.”

It was further reported that the state's PPRO did not specify the number of suspects arrested but affirmed that the arrested suspects will be charged to court before the end of the week.

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Inside the abandoned building

In its report, Punch noted that inside the building were variety of items ranging from clothing to household utensils.

Women’s underwear, sandals, slippers, cooking utensils, mattresses, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, among other items were reported to have littered the building.

A long rope, suspected to be used for hanging or torturing victims, was also found inside one of the rooms in the building.

The rope, it was reported, was tied to the ceiling of the building at one end, while the other end of the rope was knotted. Some planks were underneath the rope.

Recently, an Ondo state chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Olumide Odimayo was found dead in Ese Odo Local Government Area of the state.