Victim dies as Amotekun hunts kidnappers in Ondo forest

One of the two persons kidnapped on Friday at Parubber community in Ileoluji-Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State is dead.

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Adetunji Adeleye, the commander of the state security network, also known as Amotekun, disclosed this while addressing a press conference in Akure on Monday.

Mr Adeleye said the deceased, whose name he did not give, died as a result of stress she was subjected to while the operatives were chasing the abductors. He said the second victim survived and was rescued.

The victims, who worked at a livestock farm in the community, were kidnapped by the gunmen who emerged from the bush masked and armed with AK-47 rifles, and later demanded a ransom of N100million.

One Yemi Omowale, who witnessed the incident, narrowly escaped being abducted.

The development prompted a response from the police and other security agencies, who assured that they would track the kidnappers and ensure their release from their captors.

It was gathered that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa gave a marching order to Amotekun to ensure that the victims were rescued.

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Mr Adeleye stated that with the combined efforts of the security agencies, the victims were rescued several kilometres away from the scene of the crime before the death of the female victim.

“I think every day they are coming up with new strategies and that is why we equally developed non-kinetic measures in addition to intelligence-driven bush combing that we did,” he said.

“But unfortunately, by the time we got there, the lady was exhausted, and we couldn’t revive her because we met her dead or unconscious.”

Mr Adeleye explained that it was good news that the man was rescued alive, as they had been taken several kilometres into the forest from the scene.

“But the good news is that we have sent signals by this action that there is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State,” he said.

He also disclosed that Amotekun also arrested a group of suspects that specialise in kidnapping and rustling cattle from Fulani herdsmen in Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu, and Omotosho, all in Odigbo Local Government Area.

“After very decisive actions, we were able to arrest the main culprits who, in collaboration with some at large, also stole these cows in three different locations; we have them here. We have those who bought these cows from him. He has ready markets across the state where he sends the cows to for sale at very ridiculous prices,” he said.

“They say cows are sold under 100,000 at times. We have them here. This goes far to show that the best criminals can do is to vacate Ondo State. These cow rustlers and their collaborators are on parade.”

Amotekun also paraded two persons, Akinlolu and Akintimi, who are being charged for illegal possession of firearms, as well as one Jamiu who specialises in vandalising houses that are under construction.

READ ALSO: Ondo court faults Amotekun for declaring three officers wanted

Mr Jamiu, 30, allegedly specialises in removing all electrical cables, plumbing installations, and many other items from houses.

Mr Adeleye added that, based on its current crime record, Ondo State is safe.

Only on Sunday, Amotekun operatives rescued two men in the Ala-Dada axis who were kidnapped.

A distress call was reportedly made to Amotekun shortly after the incident, and the agency deployed personnel to search the forest, successfully rescuing the victims.