The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers after a shootout with security operatives led to the rescue of two victims in a forest around Isua-Akoko.
The operation, which involved the police, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, and Agbe-Koya, also resulted in the recovery of N1.5m suspected ransom money and foodstuffs.
The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, were arrested along Idoani Road on Sunday, September 13, 2026, following a sustained follow-up operation.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, disclosed this while confirming the development, adding that the suspects were all residents of the Akunnu area.
According to him, the two rescued victims, Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, subsequently identified the three suspects as their abductors at the police station.
The operation began after detectives attached to the Isua Police Division received intelligence that suspected kidnappers were hiding in the thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis and were preparing to collect ransom.
A police source in Akure said operatives from the three security formations deployed to the area and strategically positioned themselves along the route believed to be used by the gang.
The source said the operatives maintained surveillance for several hours before the suspected kidnappers emerged from the forest at about 11:30pm.
The gang, said to number about four and armed with firearms, allegedly opened fire after sighting the security personnel.
The operatives reportedly returned fire, forcing the suspects to flee into the forest, while the two victims were rescued unhurt.
“During the encounter, the team recovered N1,500,000 suspected to have been brought for ransom payment.
“The suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest,” the source said.
The police, however, continued to track the suspects, eventually sighting them along Idoani Road at about 8:30pm on Sunday.
The subsequent operation led to the arrest of three suspects, two of whom were reportedly suffering from gunshot wounds to their legs.
Abayomi further disclosed that a Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police had been identified by the victims as being connected to the kidnapping operation.
He said the motorcycle had been retained as part of the investigation.
The police spokesman commended the personnel of the Isua Division, Amotekun and Agbe-Koya for their collaboration and professionalism during the operation.
He said the suspects had been handed over to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for discreet investigation into the operation and possible identification of other members of the syndicate.
Abayomi assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations to prevent kidnappers and other criminals from using forests and other hideouts as bases for criminal activities across the state.
