One of the two victims abducted by kidnappers in Okeigbo, Ondo State, has died in captivity, while security operatives rescued five others in separate operations across the state. The Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Monday while parading 14 suspects in Akure. Daily Trust had reported that gunmen abducted two farmers in Parubber Community, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, and demanded N100 million ransom for their release. Adeleye said the Okeigbo incident occurred a few days ago, prompting nine operatives of the Special Squad to immediately commence a rescue operation after receiving a distress call. NERC dissolves Kaduna Electric board over poor performance Fintiri orders direct hospital equipment requests to curb doctor brain drain He said the Amotekun Corps also collaborated with sister security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), to track the kidnappers and secure the victims. He said the operation was intensified following a directive from the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to ensure that the victims were rescued. “I’m glad to let you know that several kilometres away from the scene of crime, we successfully secured the release of the two of them that were kidnapped in Okeigbo,” Adeleye said. He, however, disclosed that the kidnappers employed deceptive tactics to mislead the security operatives about their location. Adeleye said the victims were eventually located deep inside a reserve forest, but one of them, a woman, was unconscious when the operatives arrived. “We were able to rescue a life without a problem, the man. But unfortunately, by the time we got there, the lady was exhausted and we couldn’t revive her because we met her dead or unconscious,” he stated. The commander added that one of the suspected kidnappers had been tracked to Oyo State, with arrangements ongoing with sister security agencies to apprehend and bring him to justice. In another operation in the Ore axis of Odigbo Local Government Area, Adeleye said operatives arrested suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate. “Today again, we have a group that specialises in kidnapping all in Odigbo local government. After very decisive actions, we were able to arrest the main culprits, while some of their collaborators are at large,” he said. He also disclosed the arrest of two suspects, Akinlolu and Akintimi, for alleged illegal possession of firearms. Giving a breakdown of the paraded suspects, Adeleye said nine were arrested for alleged offences relating to breach of law and order, while five were linked to kidnapping. According to him, family victims were able to send a distress signal early enough, enabling Amotekun Rangers operating in the forest to respond and secure their release. “Only yesterday night, we were equally able to rescue four kidnapped men in the Ala-Dada axis,” Adeleye said. The Amotekun commander assured residents and potential investors of the security of lives and property across the state.
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