The attempt by some kidnappers to collect the sum of N1.5 million paid by family of their victims has landed them in trouble as three of them have been arrested after a gun duel with men of the Ondo State Police Command.
Two abducted victims were also rescued during the encounter that occurred inside the forest while the N1.5 million ransom money was recovered by the operatives
It was gathered that the rescue operation commenced on Friday, September 11, following intelligence reports that a gang of kidnappers hibernating in the thick forest along the Ifira-Idoani axis were planning to emerge from their hideout to collect the ransom.
Acting on the intelligence however, operatives of Isua Divisional Headquarters, in collaboration with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun) and Agbekoya, embarked on a coordinated rescue and ambush operation deep inside the forest.
The security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the route and maintained surveillance for several hours and around 11:00 p.m., the kidnappers, numbering five and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest.
On sighting the security operatives, the kidnappers were said to have opened fire, prompting the security team to engage them in gun duel which led to the rescue of the two victim (names withheld).
“During the encounter, the security operatives recovered the sum of ₦1.5 million brought for ransom payment. The kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest,” the command said in a statement on Tuesday, September 15.
The command added that following follow-up operations and credible intelligence, on Sunday, September 13, around 9:00 p.m., the kidnappers were sighted along the Idoani Road.
Operatives immediately mobilised to the area, resulting in the arrest of three of them, while two of them escaped again.
The names of those arrested were given simply as Abdullahi, Ibrahim and Oseni.
“A Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the p in the forest has also been identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation. The motorcycle remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation,” the command stated.
The arrested kidnappers have been transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Akure, for more investigation in order to uncover the full network and bring all those connected with the criminal operation to justice.
