Two Recued As Police Arrest 3 Suspected Kidnappers In Ondo Forest

The Ondo State Police Command has rescued two victims of abduction in Isua-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.

The three suspected kidnappers were apprehended by operatives of the command, while a reported N1.5 million ransom was recovered.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Abayomi Jimoh, the police received credible intelligence that a gang of suspected kidnappers were lurking in the forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis and preparing to emerge from their hideout to collect ransom.

According to the spokesperson, the police operatives in collaboration with Amotekun Corps and Agbe-Koya, took part in the rescue operation.

Jimoh said security operatives positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours.

He said: “At about 11:30 p.m., the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest.

“On sighting the security operatives, they opened fire, prompting the security team to tactically repel the attack and rescue the two victims, identified as Mr Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada.

“During the encounter, the security operatives recovered the sum of ₦1,500,000, suspected to have been brought for ransom payment.

“The arrested suspects are Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar, and Oseni Abubakar, all males and residents of the Akunnu area.

“The two rescued victims subsequently came to the police station and positively identified the arrested suspects as the persons who abducted them.

“A Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police has also been identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation. The motorcycle remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.”