The Ondo State Amotekun Corps says it has arrested a father and his three sons over alleged kidnapping in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government area of the state.
The State Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, made the disclosure on Monday in Akure while parading the suspects.
Adeleye identified the suspects as Iliasu, 56; Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; and Yakubu, 18.
He said the victim was abducted while travelling to Oba-Akoko.
He explained that the victim’s family paid N1.6 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers, but they refused to release him.
Adeleye disclosed that the family later reported the incident to Amotekun Corps after the kidnappers reneged on the agreement, prompting the corps to launch a rescue operation.
He said intelligence gathering led operatives to a family allegedly involved in the crime, comprising a 56-year-old father and his three sons, who disguised as cattle rearers while carrying out kidnapping activities.
The commander disclosed that Amotekun operatives came under attack during the operation but overpowered the suspects and rescued the victim.
He added that the victim who sustained multiple injuries after being tortured by his abductors, was rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
He said the Corps, however, recovered more than 75 per cent of the ransom, as well as drugs, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and other items allegedly used by the suspects during the operation.
“There is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State, whether in the forests or in our communities. We remain committed to protecting lives and property,” the commander said.
Narrating his ordeal, the victim, Mr Oyebade Samuel, said he was abducted when his vehicle developed a mechanical fault along the Oba-Akoko road.
He said that the four armed men emerged from the bush, beating him before dragging him into the forest.
Samuel said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦40 million ransom before reducing it to ₦1.6 million, which his family eventually paid.
According to him, his brother delivered the money and other items demanded by the kidnappers, but they still refused to release him.
He said the matter was subsequently reported to Amotekun Corps, whose operatives tracked the suspects to the ransom collection point and eventually rescued him.
