Police silence on arrested kidnap suspects raises concern in Ondo community

— Command promises prosecution

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Residents of Ode-Irele, headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, have expressed concern over the failure of the police to disclose the identities of suspects arrested in connection with the abduction of Mrs. Morenike Falona, wife of prominent chief and businessman, Chief Babatunde Falona.

Mrs. Falona was abducted at gunpoint from her residence on June 15, 2026, in the presence of her husband and other family members.

She was rescued three days later, on June 18, 2026, from a bush in Ijuosun through the combined efforts of security agencies and the cooperation of the Ikale, Apoi and Ijaw-Arogbo communities.

Days after her rescue, residents were informed that four suspects had been arrested and taken to the Police Headquarters in Akure for interrogation and further investigation.

However, weeks after the arrests, the police are yet to brief the public, disclose the identities of the suspects or charge them to court, a development that has raised concerns among residents of Ikale, Apoi and Arogbo communities over the possibility of the suspects escaping justice.

A community leader and retired public servant, Sir Rufus Falona, who spoke on behalf of the Falona family, said the police silence had heightened fears in Irele and neighbouring communities.

“The concealment of the identity of the alleged criminals and the reluctance to charge the suspects to court further aggravates the fear that the criminals might eventually evade justice,” he said.

Falona appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State to expedite the investigation, unveil the suspects and ensure their prosecution in accordance with the law.

Reacting, the Ondo State Police Command said it understood the concerns of the family and community, but explained that kidnapping investigations are intelligence-driven and require a level of confidentiality.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said premature disclosure of operational details, identities of suspects or other sensitive information could jeopardise ongoing investigations, compromise efforts to arrest accomplices or affect prosecution.

“Following the rescue of the victim, Mrs. Morenike Falona, several investigative steps were initiated, including the arrest and interrogation of suspects connected with the case,” Abayomi said.

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

Abayomi reiterated the commitment of the police to transparency, professionalism and the rule of law, assuring residents that relevant information would be released and suspects charged to court at the appropriate time.