Police Rescue Two Kidnap Victims, Arrest Three Suspects in Ondo
Two kidnapped victims have been rescued while three suspected kidnappers were arrested after a gun battle between security operatives and the gang in a forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis in Ondo State.
The Ondo State Police Command said the operation also led to the recovery of ₦1.5 million suspected ransom proceeds and foodstuffs.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the operation followed credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers hiding in the forest were planning to emerge to collect ransom.
The operation began on Friday, September 11, when operatives of the Isua Division, working with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, and Agbe-Koya, deployed to the forest for a coordinated rescue and ambush operation.
The police said the security team maintained surveillance for several hours before about four armed suspects emerged from the forest at approximately 11:30 p.m.
The suspects reportedly opened fire after sighting the operatives, prompting the security team to return fire.
Amid the confrontation, the operatives rescued the two victims, identified as Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt.
The police said ₦1.5 million suspected to have been brought for ransom payment was recovered during the encounter.
The suspects, who reportedly sustained gunshot injuries, escaped into the forest.
However, following further intelligence gathering and follow-up operations, three of the suspects were arrested on Sunday, September 13, at about 8:30 p.m. along Idoani Road.
The arrested suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of the Akunnu area.
The police said two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries to their legs during the operation.
The two rescued victims later visited the police station and allegedly identified the suspects as the men who abducted them.
A Bajaj motorcycle previously recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected to the alleged criminal operation. The motorcycle remains in police custody.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, commended the officers and men of the Isua Division as well as personnel of Amotekun and Agbe-Koya for their cooperation and courage during the operation.
He ordered the transfer of the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for further investigation.
The police said the investigation would focus on uncovering the wider network behind the kidnapping operation and bringing other persons linked to the crime to justice.
The command also reiterated its resolve to prevent criminals from using forests and other hideouts as bases for kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
