Crime
Amotekun Arrests Father, Three Sons for Alleged Kidnapping in Ondo
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, alongside his three sons over their alleged involvement in a kidnapping operation in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Usman (33), Wahab (27), and Yakubu (18), were paraded in Akure alongside 24 other suspects arrested for various offences by the state security outfit.
Speaking during the parade, the Commander of Amotekun in Ondo State, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the victim, Oyebade Samuel, was abducted while travelling to Oba-Akoko after his vehicle developed a mechanical fault along the road.
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According to Adeleye, four armed men emerged from the bush carrying guns, cutlasses, and sticks before attacking and dragging the victim into the forest.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ₦40 million ransom but later reduced it to ₦1.6 million, which the victim’s family paid.
Despite receiving the money, the suspects allegedly refused to release the victim and warned the family against involving security agencies.
Following the suspects’ failure to honour the agreement, the family contacted Amotekun, prompting an intelligence-led operation that traced the kidnappers to a family of four who allegedly disguised themselves as cattle rearers while operating a kidnapping syndicate.
Adeleye said the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Amotekun operatives during the rescue mission but were eventually overpowered.
The victim was rescued with multiple machete and knife injuries sustained during captivity and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Amotekun commander further revealed that more than 75 per cent of the ₦1.6 million ransom was recovered, alongside alcoholic drinks, drugs, cigarettes, and other items allegedly linked to the suspects.
He added that one of the suspects, believed to be the gang leader, had been on Amotekun’s watchlist since 2024 over several kidnapping incidents in the Ondo North Senatorial District but had fled the state before recently returning to allegedly mastermind the latest abduction.
Adeleye reiterated that the security outfit discourages the payment of ransom, assuring that all recovered money would be returned to the victim’s family.
“There is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State, whether in the forests or within our communities. We remain committed to protecting lives and property,” he said.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
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According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
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According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
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