Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) have rescued a kidnap victim and arrested a father alongside his three sons over their alleged involvement in the abduction in Oba Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects—Iliasu (56), Usman (33), Wahab (27), and Yakubu (18)—were paraded on Tuesday in Akure by the Amotekun Corps Commander, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, alongside other suspects arrested for kidnapping and related crimes.
According to Adeleye, the victim was abducted while travelling to Oba Akoko, and although the family paid a ransom without informing Amotekun, the kidnappers refused to release him and warned the family against reporting the incident.
“The family later came to the Amotekun office, and we immediately swung into action. At the end of the day, we found a family, a father and three sons directly involved, using cattle as cover,” Adeleye said.
He disclosed that the suspects attacked Amotekun operatives during the rescue operation, but the officers overpowered them and successfully rescued the victim.
The commander revealed that the victim was tortured by the kidnappers, who inflicted injuries on his head with knives and cutlasses. He has since been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
During the operation, Amotekun recovered drugs, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and materials allegedly used to blindfold the victim.
The security outfit also recovered more than 75 percent of the ransom paid by the victim’s family.
“As far as the command is concerned, we do not encourage the payment of ransom. Since the money belongs to the family, it has been returned to them,” Adeleye added.
He said the recovered ransom was handed back to the victim’s relatives, while investigations into the case are ongoing.
Source: NAN
