Police arrest kidnap suspects while collecting N1.5m ransom in Ondo, rescue victims

The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested three persons suspected to be kidnappers after they emerged from the forest to collect ransom for their victims.

Besides the arrest of the suspects, the two kidnapped victims were rescued during an operation.

The ransom amounting to N1.5 million, a motor bike and foodstuffs were also recovered from the suspects by the police.

A statement on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said the suspects were arrested in Isua-Akoko area of the state.

“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,” the statement read.

“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 security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours. 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, prompting the security team to tactically repel the attack and rescue the two victims, Mr. Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt.

“During the encounter, the security operatives recovered the sum of ₦1,500,000 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), suspected to have been brought for ransom payment. The suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest.”

Mr Jimoh said a sustained follow-up operations and credible intelligence on Sunday, 13 September led to the arrest of three of rhe suspects who were sighted along the Idoani Road.

He said operatives immediately mobilised to the area, resulting in the arrest of three suspects, while two of them had sustained gunshot injuries to their legs.

“The arrested suspects are: Abdullahi Abubakar, male, Ibrahim Abubakar, male, and Oseni Abubakar, male, all resident of Akunnu area. The two rescued victims, subsequently came to the Police Station and positively identified the arrested suspects as the persons who abducted them,” Mr Jimoh said.

“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.”

Mr Jimoh said the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, commended the officers and men of Isua Division, alongside personnel of Amotekun and Agbe-Koya, for their courage, professionalism and effective collaboration, which contributed to the successful rescue of the victims and subsequent arrest of the suspects.

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He said the CP immediately ordered that the case be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Akure, for discreet investigation, with a view to uncovering the full network and bringing all those connected with the criminal operation to justice.

“The Command reiterates its determination 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 criminal elements,” Mr Jimoh added.

The Amotekun regularly parades suspected criminals across the 18 local government areas, including rings of kidnappers operating in regions like Ore, Akoko, and major highways.

Only last week the agency paraded three suspected kidnappers who dressed in army uniforms to deceive their victims.

The Commander of the Security Network, Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspected kidnappers were arrested in Akure North Local Government Area of the state by a combined team of Fulani farmers and local vigilantes.