The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, has rescued a kidnapped victim and arrested four members of the same family, including a father and his three sons, over their alleged involvement in the abduction.
The suspects were apprehended in Oba-Ile, Akoko, within Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Corps Commander of Amotekun, Mr Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the development on Tuesday in Akure while parading 28 suspects linked to kidnapping and 15 others arrested for various criminal offences.
According to Adeleye, the suspects identified as Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; Yakubu, 18; and their 56-year-old father, Iliasu, were arrested following a coordinated operation by Amotekun operatives.
“Today, we have Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; Yakubu, 18; and their father, Iliasu, 56, arrested in Oba Akoko, Ondo State.
“Not only that, we equally recovered drugs, drinks, cigarettes and what looked like a camouflage used to cover the eyes of the kidnapped victim,” he said.
Adeleye explained that the operation was launched after relatives of the victim eventually reported the kidnapping to the agency.
He revealed that the victim had been abducted while travelling to Oba Akoko, but the family initially negotiated and paid ransom to the kidnappers without notifying Amotekun.
Despite receiving the ransom, the abductors reportedly refused to release the victim and warned the family against informing security agencies.
“In spite of the ransom payment, the kidnappers refused to release the victim. They also threatened the family not to report the incident.
“This eventually brought the family to the Amotekun office, and we immediately swung into action,” Adeleye stated.
He said investigations led operatives to the suspects, who allegedly used cattle as a cover for their criminal activities.
“At the end of the day, we found a family, a father and three sons directly involved, using cattle as cover.
“In the course of the operation, they attacked our men, but we succeeded in rescuing the victim,” he added.
The corps commander disclosed that the victim suffered severe injuries during captivity after being tortured with knives and cutlasses, particularly on the head.
He said the rescued victim was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.
Adeleye further revealed that Amotekun operatives recovered more than 75 per cent of the ransom paid by the victim’s family during the rescue operation.
He reiterated the agency’s opposition to the payment of ransom, warning that such actions encourage criminal activities.
“As far as the command is concerned, we do not encourage the payment of ransom. Since the money belongs to the family, it has been returned to them.
“In fact, we handed over all the money recovered at the scene to a member of the victim’s family for safekeeping, and we only brought it here for display,” he said.
