The South Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has successfully thwarted five kidnapping attempts in Ondo State over the past two weeks, according to the state commander, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye.
Adeleye disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure while briefing journalists, stating that no ransom was paid in any of the cases. The latest incident occurred on Monday when a community chief near Akure was abducted.
“We were able to retrieve the chief and the Okada rider that were kidnapped without the payment of any ransom,” Adeleye said. He explained that the corps, in collaboration with local hunters, swiftly responded to a distress call and pursued the kidnappers overnight to secure the victims’ release.
The commander also detailed another incident in the Akoko axis, where kidnappers attacked farms, assaulted women, and abducted victims along Ajegunle Road between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.
“Within 48 hours, the people were released, and three of the suspects that had been identified as part of the gang were arrested. We have them here, both the victim and the suspects,” Adeleye stated.
Similar successes were recorded in the Central Senatorial District, where Amotekun operatives arrested additional kidnapping suspects, later identified by their victims.
Adeleye revealed that the corps currently has 17 suspects in custody: eight for public order violations, three for kidnapping, and six linked to robbery and rape.
The commander reaffirmed Amotekun’s commitment to working with other security agencies to maintain the state’s peaceful atmosphere. He also noted a significant reduction in farmer-herder clashes and urged residents to support the corps by providing timely information.