Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, have freed eight kidnap victims from the custody of suspected abductors in separate communities within Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Among those rescued were a teacher and a pastor, who regained their freedom during a coordinated operation carried out by Amotekun personnel at a forest camp believed to have served as a hideout for the kidnappers.
The Punch reported that the Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the development on Thursday at the agency’s headquarters in Akure.
Adeleye explained that the rescue followed actionable intelligence that enabled operatives to trace the kidnappers to their location, where a gun duel ensued.
“Following the exchange of fire, the criminals were forced to flee, enabling the security operatives to secure the release of all eight victims,” he said.
According to him, none of the victims’ families paid ransom before their release.
“Not a kobo was paid as ransom. Through technology, intelligence gathering, and strategic operations, we were able to locate the kidnappers deep inside the forest and secure the release of all the victims professionally without causing harm to them,” he said.
The Amotekun commander praised the operatives for their bravery and professionalism, noting that efforts were underway to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
He further stated that the victims had since been reunited with their families, while additional security measures had been deployed across the affected communities to forestall future attacks.
Sources revealed that the kidnappers had earlier demanded ransom payments from relatives of the victims before the successful rescue operation.
