N1.5m ransom recovered as police, Amotekun foil kidnappers in Ondo forest shootout

Police detectives in Ondo State have rescued two abducted victims, arrested three suspects and recovered N1.5m ransom proceeds and foodstuffs after a shootout in Isua-Akoko forest.

A police source told Vanguard in Akure that acting on credible 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.

The source said intelligence revealed that a group of suspected kidnappers hibernating in the thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis were planning to emerge to collect ransom.

“The security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours,” the source said.

“At about 2330 hours, the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest. On sighting the security operatives, they opened fire. 

“The team tactically repelled the attack and rescued the two victims, Mr. Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt.”

During the encounter, the operatives recovered N1,500,000 suspected to have been brought for ransom payment. 

The suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest.

Following sustained follow-up operations, the suspects were sighted along Idoani Road on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at about 2030 hours.

“Operatives immediately mobilized to the area, resulting in the arrest of three suspects, while two of them had sustained gunshot injuries to their legs,”the source added.

Contacted, the State Police  image maker, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, named the arrested suspects as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar, and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of Akunnu area.

Abayomi said the two rescued victims later identified the arrested suspects as their abductors at the police station.

“A Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the Police has also been identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation.

” The motorcycle remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation,”he said.

He commended officers of Isua Division, Amotekun and Agbe-Koya for their courage, professionalism and collaboration which led to the rescue and arrests.

He said the case has been transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Akure, for discreet investigation to uncover the full network.

“The Command remains determined to deny criminal elements access to forests and other hideouts within the state and will continue to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnappers and other criminals,” Abayomi stated.