Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
Police detectives in Ondo State, working with the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, and local hunters, have rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested three suspected kidnappers and recovered ₦1.5 million in suspected ransom proceeds following a fierce shootout in a forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis of Isua-Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area. The operation, which began on Friday, September 11, 2026, and culminated in arrests on Sunday, September 13, has been described by the police as a significant breakthrough in the state’s ongoing battle against kidnapping and violent crime. The victims, identified as Mr. Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, were rescued unhurt and later positively identified the arrested suspects as their abductors.
The operation was triggered by credible intelligence that a group of suspected kidnappers were hibernating in the thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis and planning to emerge from their hideout to collect a ransom payment. Acting on this information, operatives of the Isua Division, in collaboration with Amotekun personnel and Agbe-Koya, a local security outfit, embarked on a coordinated rescue and ambush operation deep inside the forest. The security team strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours, waiting for the kidnappers to show themselves. At about 11:30 p.m., the suspects, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest. On sighting the security operatives, they opened fire, prompting the team to tactically repel the attack and rescue the two victims. During the encounter, the operatives recovered the sum of ₦1.5 million, suspected to have been brought for ransom payment, along with foodstuffs. The suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest, but the police did not abandon the pursuit. Following sustained follow-up operations and further intelligence, the suspects were sighted on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m. along Idoani Road. Operatives immediately mobilised to the area, resulting in the arrest of three suspects. Two of them had sustained gunshot injuries to their legs. The arrested suspects were named as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of the Akunnu area of Akoko North-East Local Government Area. 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 as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the details in a statement issued in Akure on Tuesday. He said the two rescued victims subsequently came to the police station and positively identified the arrested suspects as the persons who abducted them. He commended the officers of the Isua Division, Amotekun and Agbe-Koya for their courage, professionalism and collaboration, which led to the rescue and arrests. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, immediately ordered that the case be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for discreet investigation, with a view to uncovering the full network and bringing all those connected with the criminal operation to justice. Jimoh said the command remained determined to deny criminal elements access to forests and other hideouts within the state and would continue to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnappers and other criminals.
The successful operation reflects a broader pattern of collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun and local hunters in Ondo State. The state has witnessed a series of kidnappings in recent months, particularly in the northern senatorial district, where dense forests and difficult terrain provide cover for criminal gangs. The Ifira–Idoani axis, where the shootout occurred, has been identified as a notorious corridor for kidnappers who use the forest as a base for abducting travellers and residents. The involvement of Agbe-Koya, a local hunter group, underscores the importance of community-based intelligence in security operations. Local hunters possess intimate knowledge of the terrain and can track suspects through forests that conventional security forces may find difficult to navigate. Their participation alongside Amotekun and the police demonstrates the multi-layered approach that Ondo State has adopted in its fight against banditry and kidnapping.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has repeatedly emphasised his administration’s commitment to security, describing it as a prerequisite for economic development. His government has invested in Amotekun, providing vehicles, equipment and training to enhance its operational capacity. The governor has also called for closer collaboration between security agencies and communities, urging residents to provide timely information that can help prevent attacks and track down criminals. The successful operation in Isua-Akoko is likely to be cited by the state government as evidence that its security strategy is yielding results. However, the persistence of kidnapping in the state suggests that the challenge remains significant. Criminal gangs continue to operate in forests across Ondo State, and the release of victims often follows ransom payments, creating a lucrative cycle that encourages further abductions.
Reactions to the operation have been largely positive, with residents of Isua-Akoko and surrounding communities expressing relief at the rescue of the victims and the arrest of the suspects. Traditional rulers in Akoko South-East and Akoko North-East have commended the security operatives for their bravery and urged the government to sustain the momentum. Some residents, however, expressed concern that the suspects who escaped with gunshot injuries may regroup and launch reprisal attacks. They called on the police to intensify patrols in the area and to ensure that the fleeing suspects are apprehended. Community leaders also urged the government to address the root causes of kidnapping, including unemployment, poverty and the proliferation of small arms, which they said made it easy for criminal gangs to recruit and operate.
For the two rescued victims, the ordeal is over, but the trauma may linger. They were abducted and held in a forest, unaware of whether they would be released or harmed. Their rescue by security operatives is a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect others. The recovered ₦1.5 million, suspected to be ransom proceeds, will be treated as evidence in the ongoing investigation. The police have not disclosed the full circumstances of the abduction, including where and when the victims were taken, as the case is still under investigation. The Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure will now take over the case, with a mandate to uncover the full network and dismantle the gang. The coming weeks will show whether the arrests lead to further breakthroughs or whether the gang’s remnants continue to operate. For now, the security agencies have sent a clear message: the forests of Ondo State are no longer safe for kidnappers. The operation in Isua-Akoko is a victory, but the war against kidnapping is far from over.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments