The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers in Isua-Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Abayomi Jimoh, on Tuesday, the command said two victims were also rescued during the operation, while N1.5m was recovered from the den of the suspected kidnappers.
According to the police, the arrested suspects are Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of Akunnu community in Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
The statement said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps and local hunters in the area.
It said the operation commenced on Friday, September 11, 2026, following credible intelligence that a group of suspected kidnappers hibernating in the thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis were planning to emerge from their hideout to collect ransom.
The PPRO further explained that the security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours until the kidnappers were sighted again.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, had immediately ordered that the case be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Akure, for discreet investigation, “with a view to uncovering the full network and bringing all those connected with the criminal operation to justice.”
