The Nigeria Police Force has refuted claims made by Eniola Ojajuni, the Afenifere Youth leader, accusing four traditional rulers in Ondo State of colluding with kidnappers
In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olushola, the allegations were described as baseless and lacking in substance.
Ojajuni, who had earlier raised concerns in March 2025 about the rising threat of kidnapping in the South-West, claimed that at least 55 camps had been set up across the region. He alleged that 27 of these camps were located in Ondo State, followed by 16 in Ekiti, 7 in Osun, and 5 in Ogun.
Speaking at a press conference, Ojajuni recounted what he described as his own kidnapping experience on February 17, 2025. According to him, armed men dressed in military gear ambushed his vehicle near Akunu Akoko while he was en route to Abuja. He claimed the attackers fired 19 bullets at his vehicle before taking him and others hostage.
Ojajuni said he spent 12 days in captivity, during which he endured severe abuse, including two gunshot wounds and repeated beatings. He added that the kidnappers were well-equipped, operating with advanced technology and over 20 AK-47 rifles.
He also alleged that the kidnappers monitored his communications and forced a change in ransom drop-off location due to surveillance by security forces.
In a recent update posted via a screenshot shared on the Facebook page of Ondo-based lawyer Tolu Babaleye, Ojajuni claimed that four unnamed traditional rulers from the Akoko-dominated northern senatorial district of Ondo State were complicit in the kidnappings.
Reacting to the claims, the Ondo State Police Command dismissed Ojajuni’s narrative as inconsistent. According to the command, their investigation found no record of any official kidnapping report involving Ojajuni or evidence of his release from known criminal groups operating in the state.
The police added that discrepancies between Ojajuni’s account and those provided by his wife and brothers cast further doubt on the story. They also noted that despite repeated invitations, Ojajuni had failed to present himself for a formal debriefing that could have helped the investigation.
Furthermore, the command questioned the authenticity of a video shared during Ojajuni’s alleged abduction, stating that such behavior does not align with patterns observed in actual kidnapping cases. Intelligence gathered from previous incidents revealed that most kidnappers in the region do not possess smartphones or circulate videos of their victims.
The police urged members of the public with credible information to assist in ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities. They emphasized that justice must be pursued through proper investigative procedures, not social media.
The command called on residents of Ondo State to continue supporting security agencies in their mission to safeguard lives and property.
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