The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, has rescued a kidnap victim and arrested a 56-year-old man alongside his three sons over their alleged involvement in the abduction at Oba-Ile, Akoko, in Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state, SavannahNewnow Reports.
The Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Tuesday while parading 43 suspects in Akure, including 28 linked to kidnapping-related offences and 15 others arrested for various criminal activities.
According to Adeleye, the suspects identified as Iliasu, 56, and his sons, Usman, 33, Wahab, 27, and Yakubu, 18, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation after the victim’s family reported the kidnapping to the corps.
He revealed that the victim was abducted while travelling to Oba Akoko. Although the family initially paid the ransom without notifying Amotekun, the kidnappers refused to release the victim and warned the family against reporting the incident to security agencies.
“After the family eventually informed us, our operatives immediately launched a rescue operation. We discovered that the suspects, a father and his three sons, allegedly used their cattle business as a cover for their criminal activities.
“During the operation, the suspects attacked our personnel, but we successfully overpowered them and rescued the victim,” Adeleye said.
He added that the kidnappers tortured the victim with knives and cutlasses, inflicting serious injuries to his head. The victim has since been taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The corps commander also disclosed that operatives recovered more than 75 percent of the ransom paid by the victim’s family, along with suspected illicit drugs, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, and a camouflage material allegedly used to blindfold the victim.
Adeleye reiterated Amotekun’s stance against the payment of ransom, noting that all the recovered money had been returned to the victim’s family.
“As far as the command is concerned, we do not encourage the payment of ransom. The recovered money belongs to the family, and it has been handed back to them. It was only brought here for public display,” he stated.
The suspects are expected to be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.
