The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested three individuals suspected to be kidnappers after they emerged from the forest to gather ransom for his or her victims.
Moreover the arrest of the suspects, the 2 kidnapped victims had been rescued throughout an operation.
The ransom amounting to N1.5 million, a motor bike and foodstuffs had been additionally recovered from the suspects by the police.
A press release on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, mentioned the suspects had been arrested in Isua-Akoko space of the state.
“The operation commenced on Friday, September 11, 2026, following credible intelligence {that a} group of suspected kidnappers hibernating in the thick forest alongside the Ifira–Idoani axis had been planning to emerge from their hideout to gather ransom,” the assertion learn.
“Appearing on the intelligence, operatives of Isua Division, in collaboration with personnel of the Ondo State Safety Community (Amotekun) and Agbe-Koya, launched into a coordinated rescue and ambush operation deep contained in the forest.
“The safety operatives strategically positioned themselves alongside the suspected route and maintained surveillance for a number of hours. At about 2330 hours, the suspected kidnappers, numbering about 4 and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest. On sighting the safety operatives, they opened hearth, prompting the safety workforce to tactically repel the assault and rescue the 2 victims, Mr. Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unharmed.
“In the course of the encounter, the safety operatives recovered the sum of ₦1,500,000 (One Million, 5 Hundred Thousand Naira), suspected to have been introduced for ransom cost. The suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot accidents and escaped into the thick forest.”
Mr Jimoh mentioned a sustained follow-up operations and credible intelligence on Sunday, 13 September led to the arrest of three of rhe suspects who had been sighted alongside the Idoani Street.
He mentioned operatives instantly mobilised to the world, ensuing in the arrest of three suspects, while two of them had sustained gunshot accidents to their legs.
“The arrested suspects are: Abdullahi Abubakar, male, Ibrahim Abubakar, male, and Oseni Abubakar, male, all resident of Akunnu space. The 2 rescued victims, subsequently got here to the Police Station and positively recognized the arrested suspects because the individuals who kidnapped them,” Mr Jimoh mentioned.
“A Bajaj motorbike earlier recovered by the Police has additionally been recognized by the victims as being linked to the felony operation. The motorbike stays in Police custody as a part of the continued investigation.”
Mr Jimoh mentioned the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, recommended the officers and males of Isua Division, alongside personnel of Amotekun and Agbe-Koya, for his or her braveness, professionalism and efficient collaboration, which contributed to the profitable rescue of the victims and subsequent arrest of the suspects.
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He mentioned the CP instantly ordered that the case be transferred to the Particular Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Akure, for discreet investigation, with a view to uncovering the complete community and bringing all these linked with the felony operation to justice.
“The Command reiterates its dedication to disclaim felony components entry to forests and different hideouts inside the State and can proceed to maintain intelligence-led operations in opposition to kidnappers and different felony components,” Mr Jimoh added.
The Amotekun commonly parades suspected criminals throughout the 18 native authorities areas, together with rings of kidnappers working in areas like Ore, Akoko, and main highways.
Solely final week the company paraded three suspected kidnappers who dressed in military uniforms to deceive their victims.
The Commander of the Safety Community, Adetunji Adeleye, mentioned the suspected kidnappers had been arrested in Akure North Native Authorities Space of the state by a mixed workforce of Fulani farmers and native vigilantes.
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