Three suspected kidnappers have been arrested after security operatives ambushed them while they allegedly emerged from a forest in Ondo State to collect ransom, rescuing two victims in the process.
The Ondo State Police Command said its operatives recovered ₦1.5 million suspected to have been brought as ransom during the operation in the Isua-Akoko area.
The command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the operation followed credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers hiding in a thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis were planning 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 statement reads.
According to Jimoh, the security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours before the kidnappers emerged.
“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.”
The police spokesperson said the security team recovered the ransom money during the encounter, while the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and fled into the forest.
“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.”
Jimoh said sustained follow-up operations and credible intelligence eventually led to the arrest of three suspects two days later.
“Following sustained follow-up operations and credible intelligence on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at about 2030 hours, the suspected kidnappers were sighted along the Idoani Road.”
“Operatives immediately mobilized to the area, resulting in the arrest of three suspects, while two of them had sustained gunshot injuries to their legs.”
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of the Akunnu area.
Jimoh said the two rescued victims subsequently reported at the police station and identified the suspects as members of the gang allegedly responsible for their abduction.
He added that a Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation.
The motorcycle, according to the spokesperson, remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
Jimoh said the state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had ordered the transfer of the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for discreet investigation.
