Security Operatives Recover ₦1.5m Suspected Ransom in Isua-Akoko Forest
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims during an operation in Isua-Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of Akunnu in Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said in a statement on Tuesday that ₦1.5 million suspected ransom was also recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps and local hunters, followed intelligence that kidnappers hiding in a forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis planned to emerge to collect ransom.
According to the police, operatives positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance before sighting about four armed suspects at around 11:30pm.
The suspects allegedly opened fire after sighting the security team, prompting the operatives to repel the attack and rescue the two victims, Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt.
Police said the rescued victims later identified the three arrested suspects as those who allegedly abducted them.
A Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation. The motorcycle remains in police custody.
The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has ordered the transfer of the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for further investigation and efforts to uncover other members of the alleged kidnapping network.