The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested a 56-year-old man and his three sons over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a motorist in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, Iliasu, 56, Usman, 33, Wahab, 27, and Yakubu, 18, were among 28 suspects paraded on Tuesday by the Commander of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, in Akure for various offences.
Addressing journalists, Adeleye said the victim, identified as Oyebade Samuel, was abducted while travelling to Oba-Akoko after his vehicle reportedly developed a mechanical fault along the road.
According to him, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦40 million but later accepted ₦1.6 million from the victim’s family. Despite receiving the payment, the abductors allegedly refused to release their captive and warned the family against reporting the incident to security agencies.
He said the family subsequently alerted Amotekun, prompting an intelligence-led operation that led operatives to the suspects.
“Our operatives launched an intelligence-driven operation that led them to a family of four who posed as cattle rearers while allegedly carrying out kidnapping operations,” Adeleye said.
The Amotekun commander disclosed that the suspects allegedly attacked operatives during the rescue operation but were overpowered.
He said the victim was eventually rescued with multiple machete and knife injuries allegedly inflicted during his captivity and was immediately taken to hospital for treatment.
Adeleye added that operatives recovered more than 75 per cent of the ransom allegedly paid by the victim’s family, alongside alcoholic beverages, illicit drugs, cigarettes and other items recovered from the suspects.
He further revealed that one of the suspects, believed to be the gang leader, had been on the agency’s watchlist since 2024 over alleged involvement in several kidnapping incidents across the Ondo North Senatorial District.
According to Adeleye, the suspect had fled the state following previous security operations but recently returned and allegedly masterminded the latest abduction.
Recounting his ordeal, the rescued victim said four armed men emerged from the bush after his vehicle broke down, assaulted him with guns, cutlasses and sticks, and forcefully took him into the forest.
He said although his family eventually paid the ₦1.6 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers, they continued to hold him captive until Amotekun operatives tracked the suspects to the location where the ransom was collected.
Adeleye reiterated the agency’s opposition to the payment of ransom, noting that all recovered funds would be returned to the victim’s family.
“There is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State, whether in the forests or within our communities. We remain committed to protecting lives and property,” he said.
The Amotekun commander assured residents that the security outfit would sustain intelligence-driven operations to rid the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements.
