Ondo Amotekun Rescues Kidnap Victim After 72 Hours, Finds Another Dead

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has rescued a farmer after about 72 hours in kidnappers’ captivity, but found another victim dead during the operation in a forest in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were among farmers abducted by suspected kidnappers at Parubber Community in the local government area over the weekend.

The abductors were said to have demanded N100 million ransom from the victims’ families before security operatives launched a coordinated operation to locate them.

Commander of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, who disclosed the development on Monday in Akure, said the body of the deceased victim had been located.

Adeleye, who spoke while parading suspects arrested for various offences, said nine operatives of the corps’ Special Squad were immediately deployed after a distress call was received over the abduction.

He said other security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), were also contacted to support the rescue operation.

According to him, the kidnappers attempted to frustrate the operation by feeding security agencies with false geolocation information.

The operatives, however, continued to gather intelligence and comb the forest until they identified the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside a forest reserve, several kilometres from the scene of the abduction.

Adeleye said the rescue effort was further intensified following a directive from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure that the victims were rescued.

He said the operation eventually led the operatives to the victims, but one of them had already died before the team arrived.

“Several kilometres away from the scene of crime, we successfully secured the release of the two of them that were kidnapped in Okeigbo,” he said.

The commander said the kidnappers had deployed changing tactics to evade the security agencies, forcing the operatives to combine intelligence gathering with non-kinetic measures and sustained bush combing.

“We were able to rescue one of the victims alive. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, the lady was exhausted and we could not revive her. We met her dead,” Adeleye said.

He described the operation as evidence of the determination of security agencies to deny criminal elements safe havens in the state, assuring residents that efforts would be sustained to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Adeleye also disclosed that Amotekun operatives had rescued two boys allegedly abducted by suspected kidnappers linked to an incident involving herders in Owo Local Government Area.

He said the victims were rescued without the payment of ransom, while one of the suspects linked to the abduction had been traced to Oyo State.

According to him, security agencies were working to apprehend the suspect and return him to Ondo State to face prosecution.

In a separate operation, the corps arrested suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling in Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu and Omotosho areas of Odigbo Local Government Area.

Adeleye said the suspects allegedly stole cattle belonging to herders from three different locations before selling them through a network of buyers across the state.

He said some of the stolen cattle were sold at significantly reduced prices through ready markets established by the syndicate.

“We have those that bought these cows from him. He has ready markets across the state where he sends the cows to for sale at very ridiculous prices,” Adeleye said.

The commander further disclosed the arrest of two suspects, Akinlolu and Akintimi, over alleged illegal possession of firearms, saying they would be charged accordingly.

A 30-year-old suspect, identified as Jamiu, was also arrested over alleged vandalism at construction sites.

According to Adeleye, Jamiu was accused of vandalising houses under construction and stealing electrical cables, plumbing installations and other building materials.

Another suspect, Olajide, was arrested for allegedly stealing iron rods, while Lomi Dada was accused of stealing an iron rod from a palace in Odigbo.

The corps also recovered a motorcycle allegedly stolen in Akure and taken to Ore for sale.

Two suspects, Ojo, 25, and Opayemi, 29, were arrested in connection with the alleged theft.

Adeleye further disclosed that two men abducted around the Ala-Dada axis were rescued after they managed to send a distress signal.

He said Amotekun operatives stationed in the forest responded within minutes and secured their release.

The commander said the corps had intensified patrols across forests and major urban areas in the state, while border patrols had also been strengthened to prevent criminal elements from operating across state boundaries.

He added that personnel had been deployed to major junctions within Akure metropolis to check housebreaking and other criminal activities.

Adeleye assured residents and prospective investors that Ondo remained safe, urging citizens to go about their lawful activities without fear.

“I’m saying Ondo State is ready to receive investors. People can go about their normal duties without fear again,” he said.

He said the state’s security strategy involved intelligence gathering, forest patrols, inter-agency collaboration and other measures aimed at tackling kidnapping, cattle rustling and related crimes.