Suspected gunmen have kidnapped two farmers in Ifira, an agrarian settlement in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, with the abductors reportedly demanding a ransom of ₦10 million for their release.
The victims were said to have been ambushed while travelling to their farms before being forced into a nearby forest by the armed assailants.
A relative of one of the kidnapped farmers disclosed that the incident has already been reported to both the Nigeria Police Force and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.
According to the family member, the abductors have established communication with the families of the victims and are demanding ₦10 million before they can regain their freedom.
Appealing for urgent intervention, the relative urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ safe return.
“We’ve reported the incident to the police and the Amotekun Corps in our area. We’re begging the security agencies and the government to help us rescue our brothers unharmed,” the family member said.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, stated that the Isua Akoko Divisional Headquarters had received a report concerning the disappearance of the two men.
He explained that a coordinated security operation had already commenced to locate the abductees and apprehend those responsible.
According to Abayomi, the search team comprises operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, Agbekoya operatives and community volunteers.
The security personnel, he said, have been deployed to the Oke-Ifira/Idogun forest axis, where intensive search and rescue operations are currently underway.
“Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing, with all available operational and intelligence resources being deployed to locate the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Abayomi said.
The police spokesperson, however, stated that the command had not received any official information regarding the reported ransom demand.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that it is not aware of any ransom demand in connection with this incident,” he added.
Abayomi appealed to residents and members of the public who may possess useful information capable of assisting the rescue efforts to promptly contact security agencies.
He assured that any information supplied would be handled confidentially to protect informants.
The police also reiterated their commitment to ensuring the victims are rescued safely and those behind the abduction are arrested and prosecuted.
Abayomi further urged residents of the area to remain calm, stay vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence that could aid ongoing operations.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Ondo State, where farmers and rural communities have increasingly become targets of kidnappers operating within forested areas.
