The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, has arrested a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, and his three sons over their alleged involvement in a k!dnapping incident in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The State Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the arrest while presenting 28 suspects apprehended for various offences at the corps’ headquarters in Akure.
According to Adeleye, the victim, Oyebade Samuel, was abd¥cted after his vehicle developed a mechanical fault along the Oba-Akoko Road.
He stated that the k!dnappers initially demanded a ransom of N40 million but later accepted N1.6 million from the victim’s family.
Adeleye explained that despite receiving the payment, the suspects allegedly refused to release the victim and warned his relatives against contacting security agencies.
The family later reported the matter to Amotekun, leading to an intelligence-driven operation.
The commander said operatives tracked down the suspects, who allegedly posed as cattle rearers while carrying out their cr!minal activities.
During the rescue mission, the suspects reportedly resisted arrest and att@cked Amotekun personnel but were eventually subdued.
The victim was rescued with multiple m@chete and kn!fe wounds and was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
Adeleye also disclosed that more than 75 percent of the ransom money was recovered, along with alcoholic beverages, hard drugs, cigarettes, and other items allegedly connected to the suspects.
The three sons arrested alongside the father were identified as Usman, 33, Wahab, 27, and Yakubu, 18.
According to the commander, one of the suspects, believed to be the leader of the group, had been on Amotekun’s watchlist since 2024 over alleged links to several k!dnapping cases across the Ondo North Senatorial District. He was said to have left the state during previous security operations before allegedly returning to coordinate the latest abd¥ction.
Recounting his experience, the rescued victim said four armed men emerged from the bush after his vehicle broke down, att@cked him, and took him into the forest, where he remained in captivity until he was rescued by Amotekun operatives.
Adeleye reiterated the agency’s opposition to the payment of ransom, adding that all recovered funds would be returned to the victim’s family.
He also assured residents of the corps’ continued commitment to tackling cr!minal activities across the state, stressing that Ondo State would not serve as a refuge for cr!minals.