The Ondo State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered ₦1.5 million suspected ransom money during an operation in the Isua-Akoko area of the state.
The command also announced the arrest of three suspected kidnappers following a coordinated operation involving the police, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, and members of Agbe-Koya.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh.
According to Jimoh, the operation followed credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers hiding in a thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis were preparing to collect ransom from the victims’ associates.
He said operatives of the Isua Division, working with Amotekun and Agbe-Koya personnel, embarked on a rescue and ambush operation in the forest.
Jimoh said the security team positioned itself along a suspected route used by the kidnappers and maintained surveillance for several hours before the suspects emerged at about 11:30pm.
He said the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and allegedly armed with firearms, opened fire after sighting the security operatives.
The police spokesperson said the security team repelled the attack and rescued the two victims, identified as Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, without injuries.
He added that the operatives recovered ₦1.5 million allegedly brought to the location for ransom payment.
Jimoh said some of the fleeing suspects sustained gunshot injuries during the encounter but escaped into the forest.
“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,” he said.
The police said operatives immediately mobilised to the area and arrested three suspects.
Two of the suspects, according to the command, 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 of Ondo State.
The development took another turn when the two rescued victims reportedly appeared at the police station and identified the three arrested men as the persons who allegedly abducted them.
Jimoh further disclosed that a Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected with the alleged kidnapping operation.
The motorcycle has been retained by the police as part of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, has consequently ordered that the case be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for what the command described as a discreet investigation.
The police said efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the suspected gang who escaped into the forest.
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