By Danjuma Amodu
Commander says family posed as cattle rearers while abducting travellers in Akoko South-West; rescued victim alleges ransom paid but release withheld
AKURE – Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, have arrested four members of one family for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate operating in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
The Corps’ Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, paraded the suspects alongside 24 others at the command headquarters in Akure on Tuesday, bringing the total to 28.
According to Adeleye, the case involved the abduction of a traveller heading to Oba-Akoko. He said the victim’s family paid a ransom demanded by the abductors, but the suspects allegedly refused to release him and threatened the family against involving security agencies.
Following a report to Amotekun, the Corps launched an intelligence-led rescue operation. The commander said investigations traced the crime to a family unit consisting of a 56-year-old man and his three sons. The suspects, he said, allegedly masked their activities by posing as cattle rearers.
“Our operatives were attacked during the operation but they subdued the suspects, effected the arrests and rescued the victim,” Adeleye stated. He added that the victim had sustained machete and knife wounds believed to have been inflicted while in captivity.
Items recovered from the suspects include cash, substances suspected to be drugs, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and other materials allegedly used in the operation.
Adeleye further said one of the suspects, identified as the alleged gang leader, had been on the Corps’ radar since 2024 over suspected involvement in kidnappings across Ondo’s Northern Senatorial District. He said the suspect had left the state after previous security operations but returned recently and allegedly masterminded the latest abduction.
The rescued victim, Oyebade Samuel, narrated that his vehicle broke down on Oba-Akoko Road when four armed men emerged from the bush. He alleged they were armed with guns, cutlasses and sticks, assaulted him, inflicted injuries and forced him into a forest.
Samuel said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦40 million, later reduced it to ₦1.6 million, which his family paid. He alleged that after his brother delivered the money and other requested items, the suspects still held him.
He said the family later reported the incident to Amotekun, leading operatives to track the suspects to the ransom collection point, make arrests and secure his release.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
