The Ondo State Police Command, in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps and local hunters, has arrested three suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims in Isua-Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of Akunnu community in Akoko North-East Local Government Area.

The police said the operation began on Friday, September 11, following intelligence that a group of suspected kidnappers hiding in a forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis planned to emerge to collect ransom.

Operatives from the Isua Division, supported by Amotekun personnel and members of Agbe-Koya, launched a coordinated rescue and ambush operation in the forest.

According to the command, the security teams maintained surveillance along the suspected route until about 11:30pm, when about four armed suspects emerged from the forest.

The suspects reportedly opened fire after sighting the security operatives, who responded and forced them to retreat, while rescuing the two victims, Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unharmed.

The victims subsequently identified the three arrested suspects as the men who allegedly abducted them.

The operation also led to the recovery of N1.5 million suspected ransom. A Bajaj motorcycle previously recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected to the alleged criminal operation.

The state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, ordered the case to be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for discreet investigation.

The police said the investigation would focus on uncovering the wider network and arresting other persons linked to the alleged kidnapping operation.