The Police in Ondo State said it arrested three suspected kidnappers in Isua-Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state, adding that two victims were rescued during the operation.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Abayomi Jimoh, on Tuesday, the police disclosed that N1.5m was recovered from the den of the suspected kidnappers.
According to the police, the arrested suspects are Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of Akunnu community in Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
The statement said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps and local hunters in the area.
The statement read, ” 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 further explained that the security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours until the kidnappers were sighted again.
“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
“The two rescued victims, subsequently came to the police station and positively identified the arrested suspects as the persons who abducted them.
“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 added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, had 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.”
