A yet-to-be-identified farmer abducted by suspected kidnappers in Okeigbo, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has died in captivity.
The deceased was among farmers kidnapped by gunmen in Parubber Community, in the local government area, over the weekend.
The abductors reportedly contacted the victims’ families and demanded N100 million as ransom for their release.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), Mr Adetunji Adeleye disclosed that the body of the victim had been located.
Adeleye, who disclosed this while parading suspects arrested for various offences before journalists in Akure, said other surviving victim was rescued after about 72 hours of intensive tracking and intelligence operations.
He said nine operatives of the Special Squad were immediately deployed after the corps received a distress call over the abduction of the farmers while other security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), were contacted for a joint operation.
According to him, the kidnappers attempted to frustrate the rescue operation by providing security agencies with false geolocation information.
He, however, said intelligence gathering and sustained bush combing eventually led operatives to the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside a forest reserve.
Adeleye said the operation was intensified following a personal directive from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to rescue the victims at all costs.
He said the operatives eventually located the victims several kilometres away from the scene of the abduction.
“Several kilometres away from the scene of crime, we successfully secured the release of the two of them that were kidnapped in Okeigbo.
“Not without a lot of trouble because the kidnappers equally deceived us on the geolocation. Every day, they are coming up with new strategies, and that is why we equally developed non-kinetic measures in addition to intelligence-driven bush combing.
“This led to identifying them in the depth of the forest, several kilometres away from the scene. We were able to rescue one of the victims alive. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, the lady was exhausted and we could not revive her. We met her dead,” he said.
The commander said the successful operation demonstrated that criminal elements could not find a safe haven in the state, assuring residents that security agencies would continue to intensify efforts to tackle kidnapping and other crimes.
Adeleye also disclosed that Amotekun operatives had rescued two boys abducted by suspected kidnappers linked to an incident involving herdsmen in Owo Local Government Area.
He said the victims were rescued without the payment of ransom, while one of the suspects linked to the abduction had been traced to Oyo state.
According to him, security agencies were working to apprehend the suspect and return him to Ondo State to face prosecution.
The Amotekun commander further announced the arrest of suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling in Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu and Omotosho areas of Odigbo Local Government Area.
He said the suspects allegedly stole cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen from three different locations before selling them through a network of buyers across the state.
“We have those that bought these cows from him. He has ready markets across the state where he sends the cows to for sale at very ridiculous prices. They say cows are sold under N100,000 at times,” Adeleye said.
He added that two suspects, identified as Akinlolu and Akintimi, were arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and would be charged accordingly.
“A 30-year-old suspect, identified as Jamiu, was also arrested for allegedly vandalising houses under construction and stealing electrical cables, plumbing installations and other building materials.
“Another suspect, Olajide, was arrested for allegedly stealing iron rods, while one Lomi Dada was accused of stealing an iron rod from a palace in Odigbo,” he said.
According to him, the Amotekun corps also recovered a motorcycle allegedly stolen in Akure and taken to Ore for sale.
“Two suspects, Ojo, 25, and Opayemi, 29, were arrested in connection with the alleged theft,” he said.
Adeleye further disclosed that Amotekun operatives rescued two men abducted around the Ala-Dada axis after the victims managed to send a distress signal.
He said operatives stationed in the forest responded within minutes and secured the victims’ release.
The commander assured residents and prospective investors that Ondo State remained safe, saying the corps had intensified patrols across forests and major urban areas.
He said border patrols had also been strengthened, while personnel had been deployed to major junctions within the metropolis to check housebreaking and other criminal activities.
“I’m saying Ondo State is ready to receive investors. People can go about their normal duties without fear again,” Adeleye said.
He added that the latest operations formed part of the state’s broader security strategy, which combines intelligence gathering, forest patrols, inter-agency collaboration and other measures to combat kidnapping, cattle rustling and other forms of criminality.
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