By Duchess Ifeoluwa 

Ondo State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers following a gun battle between security operatives and kidnappers in a forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis of Akoko, Ondo State.

The operation also led to the recovery of ₦1.5 million suspected ransom proceeds and the subsequent arrest of three suspects following sustained follow-up operations by the police and other security agencies.

This feat recorded by the command was disclosed in a press release issued in Akure on Tuesday, and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ,DSP Abayomi Jimoh.

It was disclosed that the breakthrough followed credible intelligence received by the police on Friday, September 11, 2026, that a group of suspected kidnappers hiding in a thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis planned to emerge from their hideout to collect ransom.

Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the Isua Police Division, in collaboration with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, and Agbe-Koya, launched a coordinated rescue and ambush operation deep inside the forest.

The security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours.

At about 11:30pm, the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest and opened fire after sighting the security operatives.

The security team tactically repelled the attack and successfully rescued the two victims, identified as Mr Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt.

During the encounter, the operatives recovered ₦1.5 million suspected to have been brought for ransom payment.

The suspected kidnappers, some of whom sustained gunshot injuries, reportedly escaped into the thick forest.

However, following sustained follow-up operations and credible intelligence, the suspects were sighted along the Idoani Road at about 8:30pm on Sunday, September 13.

The operatives immediately mobilised to the area and arrested three suspects, two of whom had sustained gunshot injuries to their legs during the earlier encounter.

The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all males and residents of the Akunnu area.

The police said the two rescued victims subsequently visited the police station and positively identified the three suspects as the persons who allegedly abducted them.

A Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected with the criminal operation. The motorcycle remains in police custody as investigation continues.

The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, commended the officers and men of the Isua Division, as well as personnel of Amotekun and Agbe-Koya, for their courage, professionalism and effective collaboration which contributed to the rescue of the victims and arrest of the suspects.

Ohagwu has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for discreet investigation, with a mandate to uncover the wider criminal network and bring all those connected with the operation to justice.

The Command reiterated its determination to deny kidnappers and other criminal elements access to forests and other hideouts across the state, assuring residents that intelligence-led operations would be sustained to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.