Amotekun Arrests Father, Three Sons for Kidnapping in Ondo

Amotekun Arrests Father, Three Sons for Kidnapping in Ondo

Security operatives in Ondo State have smashed a family-run kidnapping syndicate, arresting a 56-year-old man and three of his sons, while rescuing a victim who was tortured despite his family paying a ransom.

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, has arrested a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, and three of his sons for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping operation that has terrorised the northern part of the state. The suspects—Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; and Yakubu, 18—were apprehended during a four-day intelligence-led operation that also led to the dramatic rescue of a kidnap victim who had been held captive and tortured, even after his family paid a ransom demanded by the abductors. Parading the suspects on Monday at the Corps’ headquarters in Akure, the Ondo Amotekun Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the father and his sons allegedly operated the kidnapping ring from Oba Akoko, using cattle rearing as a cover for their criminal activities.

According to Adeleye, the operation was triggered after the victim’s family approached the Corps for help. The victim had been abducted while travelling to Oba Akoko. In a desperate bid to secure his release, the family negotiated with the kidnappers and paid the demanded ransom without informing security agencies—a decision that nearly cost the victim his life. “Despite collecting the ransom, the kidnappers refused to release the victim. Rather, they threatened the family not to report the incident to security agencies,” Adeleye stated. It was only after realising that the kidnappers had no intention of releasing their loved one that the family came to Amotekun, prompting an immediate response from the security network.

Amotekun operatives combed forests and remote settlements across four days before finally locating the kidnappers’ hideout. The suspects, however, resisted arrest and attacked Amotekun operatives during the raid. They were eventually subdued, leading to the successful rescue of the victim. Adeleye painted a grim picture of the victim’s ordeal, revealing that he had been subjected to severe torture by his captors. “At the point of rescue, they had attacked the victim with knives and cutlasses, inflicting serious injuries on his head, but he was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where he received medical attention,” the commander said.

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In a significant breakthrough, the Corps recovered more than 75 per cent of the ransom paid by the victim’s family. Also seized from the hideout were drugs, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, and materials suspected to have been used to blindfold victims during their captivity. While Adeleye declined to disclose the exact amount recovered, he insisted that the Corps does not encourage ransom payments. “We are not interested in how much was paid because Amotekun does not negotiate or encourage ransom payment. The money belongs to the victim’s family and has been returned to them,” he said.

In a troubling twist, Adeleye revealed that another son of the family—believed to be the principal coordinator of the kidnapping syndicate—had escaped arrest after fleeing the state about two years ago. Intelligence gathered by the Corps indicated that the suspect recently returned to coordinate the latest kidnapping operation before disappearing again. “The father who was arrested is here. The children involved are also here. The eldest son managed to escape after coordinating this operation. We have been trailing him for some time, and we are still on his trail,” Adeleye said.

The father-and-sons syndicate was among several criminal gangs apprehended in recent operations across the state. Others paraded included suspects arrested for kidnapping, armed banditry, illegal possession of firearms, robbery, cultism, rape, stealing, conspiracy, and breach of peace. Adeleye assured residents that there is no longer any safe haven for criminals in any part of Ondo State. He said the Corps had strengthened its operations across forests and communities in collaboration with the Police, the Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies. He urged members of the public to continue supplying timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to facilitate prompt intervention and prevent crimes. “Ondo State remains peaceful and safe. We will continue to work with other security agencies and local communities to ensure that residents go about their lawful activities without fear,” Adeleye added.

Amotekun Arrests Father, Three Sons for Kidnapping in Ondo