Police arrest three suspected kidnappers, rescue two victims in Ondo
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims during an operation in Isua-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of Akunnu community in Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
The command also recovered N1.5 million suspected ransom during the operation, which was conducted in collaboration with the Ondo State Security Network, also known as Amotekun Corps, and local hunters.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, the operation began on Friday, September 11, 2026, following credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers hiding in a thick forest along the Ifira-Idoani axis were planning to emerge from their hideout to collect ransom.
Jimoh said, “The command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state, following the successful rescue of two kidnapped victims, recovery of ₦1.5 million suspected ransom and the subsequent arrest of three suspected kidnappers in Isua-Akoko.
“The operation commenced on Friday, September 11, 2026, following credible intelligence that a group of suspected kidnappers hibernating in the thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis were planning to emerge from their hideout to collect ransom.
“Acting on the intelligence, operatives of Isua Division, in collaboration with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun) and Agbe-Koya, embarked on a coordinated rescue and ambush operation deep inside the forest.”
The PPRO said the security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours until the kidnappers emerged.
“At about 11.30 pm, 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, Mr. Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt,” he said.
Jimoh added that the two rescued victims later visited the police station and positively identified the three arrested suspects as the persons who abducted them.
He further said a Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation.
“The motorcycle remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation,” he added.
The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for discreet investigation.
According to him, the investigation is aimed at uncovering the full network and bringing all those connected with the criminal operation to justice.
