By John Ogunsemore
The Ondo Police Command has arrested two suspects, Mohammed Sheu and Abubakar Umar, linked to the killing of Hon. Alaba Abe Excel, a campaign coordinator of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during the last gubernatorial election in the state.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya disclosed this in a statement.
Excel was a ward campaign coordinator for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot-Soldiers (LACO-SF).
He was killed in April 2024 in Supare Akoko, Akoko South-West LGA of the state.
The police spokesperson said Sheu was arrested on November 14 when men of the Special Anti Kidnapping Squad on a stop-and-search operation at Ikare Junction intercepted one Hiace vehicle popularly known as Hummer Bus conveying passengers to Owo.
She said that during the search, the demeanour of 21-year-old Sheu changed and on reasonable suspicion, he was singled out for brief interrogation.
“During interrogation, a voice note dropped as a message on his phone. When opened, it was a reply from Sheu’s friend (on the run) who confirmed to had seen his message.
“A prior voice note sent by Sheu was opened; he told his friend that he is not financially buoyant and told him to contact him if there is any kidnapping job available that can fetch them some money.
“Sheu was later arrested and taken to the station for proper investigation where he confessed to other crimes he has committed ranging from kidnapping, robbery in various places like Kogi, Niger, Akoko, Ifon, Ipele Axis and Owo,” she said.
Odunlami-Omisanya said Sheu confessed that their style of operation involved locating the residence of victims, going in there and picking them into the bush after which ransom would be demanded.
She disclosed that further investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Abubakar Umar, who also confessed to committing a similar crime as a gang member.
“The suspects stated further that they were responsible for the kidnap at Supare Akoko that led to the death of Hon Alaba Abe Excel in April 2024 and in September they all kidnapped other persons in a popular Hotel in Owo,” Odunlami-Omisanya said.