The Ondo State police command has rescued two victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers during a N1.5 million ransom collection in Isua-Akoko area of the state.

A statement on Tuesday by the command’s spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh, said the operation commenced on Friday following credible intelligence that a group of suspected kidnappers hibernating in the thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis were planning to leave their hideout to collect ransom.

“Acting on the intelligence, operatives of Isua Division, in collaboration with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun) and Agbekoya, embarked on a coordinated rescue and ambush operation deep inside the forest,” he said.

Mr Jimoh said the security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours. 

“At about 2330 hours, the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest. On sighting the security operatives, they opened fire, prompting the security team to tactically repel the attack and rescue the two victims, Mr. Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt,” he noted.

According to him, during the encounter, the security operatives recovered the sum of N1.5 million suspected to have been brought for ransom payment. 

He stated that the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest.

He added that following sustained follow-up operations and credible intelligence on Sunday, at about 10:30 p.m the suspected kidnappers were sighted along the Idoani Road. 

Mr Jimoh said the officers immediately mobilised to the area, resulting in the arrest of three suspects, while two of them sustained gunshot injuries to their legs.

The suspects, Abdullahi Abubakar, male, Ibrahim Abubakar, male, and Oseni Abubakar, male, are residents of Akunnu area. 

He stressed that the two rescued victims subsequently came to the police station and identified the arrested suspects as the persons who abducted them.

“A Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police has also been identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation,” he said.

He added that the motorcycle remained in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.