Police arrest suspects for abducting a traffic officer

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested suspects involved in a series of traffic-related and criminal offences, including the abduction of a traffic officer, assault, reckless driving and obstruction.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, noting that the arrests followed separate incidents in Akure and its environs.

Jimoh said the first incident occurred on April 3, 2026, when one Olopade Abraham, alongside Emmanuel Taiwo, allegedly disobeyed traffic lights at Cathedral Junction in Akure.

According to the statement, a Senior Traffic Warden, Kehinde Oliniju, intercepted the vehicle and directed the driver to proceed to the station, but the suspect fled 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 said.

The police said a patrol team from the Fanibi Division responded promptly after an alarm was raised and intercepted the vehicle at Winners Chapel Junction along Ondo Road, rescuing the officer.

“Upon raising an alarm, a nearby patrol team attached to Fanibi Division swiftly responded, pursued, and intercepted the vehicle… where the traffic warden was safely rescued,” Jimoh stated.

He added that the suspects were taken into custody alongside the vehicle.

In a related development on April 5 at about 9:30 p.m., the police said a patrol team on routine duty at the Oba-Ile axis intercepted another vehicle driving against traffic.

During the operation, 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,” the statement added.

The Command said Tolutope had been arrested and had made useful statements, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend her fleeing accomplice.

“All suspects connected to these incidents have been charged in court for prosecution,” the police said.

Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the officers for their “professionalism, discipline, and restraint,” noting that their swift actions reflect the Command’s commitment to enforcing traffic laws and ensuring road safety.

He also reiterated the command’s stance on traffic offences and attacks on law enforcement personnel.

“The command reiterates its zero tolerance for traffic violations and any form of assault or obstruction against law enforcement officers,” the statement said, urging members of the public to comply with traffic regulations and lawful directives.

Source: Punch Newspaper