The Ondo State Security outfit, codenamed, Amotekun, has arrested a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, and his three sons for alleged kidnapping in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West LGA.
Briefing newsmen in Akure, the Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, while parading 28 suspects arrested for various offences, said that the victim was abducted while travelling to Oba-Akoko.
Adetunji said that “although the family paid the ₦1.6 million ransom demanded, the kidnappers refused to release him and warned the family against contacting security agencies.
“The family later alerted Amotekun after the suspects reneged. Our operatives launched an intelligence-driven operation that led them to a family of four who posed as cattle rearers while running kidnapping operations.
Adeleye noted that “the suspects attacked Amotekun operatives during the rescue but were subdued.”
“The victim, Oyebade Samuel, was found with multiple machete and knife injuries from his captivity and taken to hospital.”
Adeleye said over 75% of the ransom collected from the victim’s family was recovered, along with alcoholic drinks, drugs, cigarettes and other items linked to the suspects.
The arrested children are Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; and Yakubu, 18.
The commander said one of the suspects, believed to be the gang leader, had been on Amotekun’s watchlist since 2024 over several kidnapping cases in Ondo North Senatorial District.
The suspect was said to have fled the state after previous operations but recently returned and allegedly masterminded the latest abduction.
