Ondo Amotekun Arrests Five Suspects, Rescues Kidnap Victims In Forest Shootout

Some kidnap suspects alleged to be involved in abductions in Ondo State have been arrested by operatives of the State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps.

The suspects were paraded at the corps’ headquarters at Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, on Thursday. The commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, stated that the suspects were apprehended during ‘Operation Le Won Jade.’

According to him, the operation was initiated to support border patrols as well as to enhance surveillance during the ember months amid growing insecurity concerns in the country.

While disclosing that the suspects were arrested around 4:50 pm on Monday, Adeleye stated that the operatives responded promptly to a distress call in a forested area of the state.

The Amotekun commander maintained that upon arrival, the operatives were met with heavy gunfire, after which additional operatives were deployed alongside local security personnel to rescue the victims.

Adeleye, who revealed that four of the five kidnapped passengers were rescued during the operation, stated that the bus driver was shot dead when the suspects forcibly stopped the vehicle, adding that the operation lasted over three hours.

“Three women and the bus conductor were rescued. One of the women, who was shot by the attackers before Amotekun’s arrival, was stabilised at the corps’ health facility,” he stated.