Ondo Police Rescue Two Abducted Victims, Arrest Three Suspects After Forest Operation
The Ondo State Police Command says security operatives rescued two abducted people and later arrested three suspects following an operation around the Ifira–Idoani axis of the state.
Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh said the operation began on September 11 after intelligence indicated that suspected kidnappers hiding in the forest were preparing to emerge to collect ransom.
The operation involved officers from the Isua Police Division, personnel of the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, and Agbe-Koya.
Police Say Two Victims Were Rescued
According to the police account, security personnel moved into the forest and maintained surveillance before armed men emerged later that night.
Police allege that the men opened fire after encountering the security team.
The command said two abducted people, identified as Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, were rescued unhurt while the suspected kidnappers escaped into the forest.
That sequence remains the police account of the operation and has not been independently reconstructed by IDNN.
₦1.5m Recovered as Suspected Ransom
Police said security personnel recovered ₦1.5 million, which the command believes had been intended for ransom payment.
The money should therefore be described as suspected ransom money or money police say was intended for ransom.
The police account does not by itself establish who supplied the money, who owned it or whether any arrested suspect took possession of it.
Three Suspects Arrested in Follow-Up
Police said follow-up intelligence led officers to Idoani Road on September 13, where three men were arrested.
The command identified them as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar.
Police also said the rescued victims later identified the three men as the people who abducted them.
That identification forms part of the police case and has not been tested in court.
Their arrests do not establish guilt.
Motorcycle Held in Investigation
Police said a Bajaj motorcycle recovered during the investigation was identified by the rescued victims as being connected to the alleged operation.
The motorcycle remains part of the police investigation.
Case Transferred to Anti-Kidnapping Unit
Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu directed that the case be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Akure for further investigation.
Police say investigators will examine the alleged network behind the abduction and determine the role, if any, of each arrested suspect.
What Happens Next
The next questions are whether formal charges will be filed, what evidence independently connects each suspect to the alleged abduction, and how investigators establish the origin and intended destination of the recovered ₦1.5 million.
IDNN will track any charge, arraignment, bail decision, court filing or response from the arrested men or their legal representatives.
Any prosecution should be reported using the exact offences and legal status contained in verified charge or court documents.
