A gang that snatched two young brothers on their way to class has been broken up by Ondo police, with five members now in custody.

The drama started on May 12, 2026 at about 9am in Jerry Sawmill Area, Ore. Jehu, 10, and his 5-year-old brother Yohana were intercepted and taken away by unknown men. Their father, Andrew Yohana, rushed to report the incident, and that kicked off an intensive manhunt.

Ondo’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad went to work behind the scenes. Using technical tracking and intelligence work, officers zeroed in on the suspects’ hideouts. The first two, Taofeek Lukman, 23, and Blessing Saturday, 27, were picked up in Alaba Area. On them, detectives found ₦251,000 believed to be part of the ransom, plus an unregistered motorcycle said to have been used in the operation.

The net widened from there. Investigators later arrested three more men tied to the syndicate: Peter Moses, 25; Sunday Isaac, 23; and Sanusi Dan Asabe, 37. 

Though the boys were released after the family paid, police say the arrests show they’re pressing hard against child-targeting kidnappers in the state. All five are being held while detectives wrap up investigations.

The case has rattled parents in Ore. Many now walk their kids to school and back, worried about forest paths around the town that criminals keep exploiting.

Source: Punch news.