Ondo kidnapping foiled by Amotekun, father and sons held

In a significant breakthrough, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has apprehended a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, and his three sons in connection with a kidnapping operation in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area. The arrest was announced by the State Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, during a parade of 28 suspects at the corps' headquarters in Akure. According to Commander Adeleye, the victim, Oyebade Samuel, was abducted after his vehicle broke down along the Oba-Akoko Road. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N40 million but later accepted N1.6 million from the victim's family. Despite receiving the payment, the suspects refused to release the victim and warned the family against involving security agencies. The family eventually reported the incident to Amotekun, leading to an intelligence-led operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspects. The operatives discovered that the suspects had disguised themselves as cattle rearers to carry out their kidnapping activities. During the rescue operation, the suspects attacked Amotekun personnel but were overpowered. The victim, who suffered multiple machete and knife injuries, was rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. The commander noted that over 75% of the ransom money was recovered, along with other items such as alcoholic drinks, hard drugs, and cigarettes. The three sons arrested with their father were identified as Usman, 33, Wahab, 27, and Yakubu, 18. Commander Adeleye revealed that one of the suspects, believed to be the gang leader, had been on the corps' watchlist since 2024 for his alleged involvement in several kidnapping incidents across the Ondo North Senatorial District. He had fled the state after previous security operations but returned to allegedly coordinate the latest abduction. The rescued victim recounted his ordeal, stating that four armed men emerged from the bush after his vehicle broke down, assaulted him, and dragged him into the forest, where he was held captive until Amotekun operatives rescued him. Commander Adeleye reiterated the corps' stance against the payment of ransom, stating that all recovered funds would be returned to the victim's family. He assured residents that Amotekun remains committed to combating criminal activities across the state, emphasizing that there is no safe haven for criminals in Ondo State.