The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested three suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims during a security operation in Isua-Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all said to be residents of Akunnu in Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, adding that security operatives also recovered ₦1.5m suspected to be ransom during the operation.
Jimoh said the operation began on Friday, September 11, after the police received intelligence that kidnappers hiding in a forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis were preparing to collect ransom.
He said operatives from the Isua Police Division, working with the Ondo State Security Network, also known as Amotekun, and local hunters, mounted surveillance in the area.
According to him, the suspects emerged from the forest at about 11:30pm with firearms and opened fire after sighting the security personnel.
“The security team tactically repelled the attack and rescued the two victims, Mr Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt,” Jimoh said.
The police spokesperson added that the rescued victims later reported to the police station and identified the three arrested suspects as those allegedly involved in their abduction.
He also said a Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police was identified by the victims as being linked to the kidnapping operation.
The motorcycle, he noted, has been retained by the police as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, has ordered that the case be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for further investigation.
Jimoh said the investigation would focus on uncovering other members of the suspected kidnapping network and ensuring that anyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.
