Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, have rescued two kidnap victims from a forest hideout in the Oke-Igbo area of the state, following a 72-hour intelligence-led operation.
The rescue operation, however, ended on a tragic note as a woman abducted alongside the victims reportedly died before she could be revived by the security operatives.
The Corps Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Monday while parading 14 suspects arrested for various offences before journalists in the state. 
Adeleye said the operation began after the corps received a distress call over the abduction of two persons in Oke-Igbo, prompting the deployment of nine operatives from its Special Squad.
He said the squad subsequently sought the assistance of other security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services, leading to a coordinated effort to locate the victims.
According to him, the kidnappers initially attempted to frustrate the rescue effort by supplying misleading geolocation information.
He said the operatives eventually relied on intelligence gathering, forest searches and other tactical measures to trace the victims to a location several kilometres away from where they were abducted.
Adeleye said, “Several kilometres away from the scene of the crime, we successfully secured the release of the two victims who were kidnapped in Oke-Igbo.
“It was not without a lot of trouble because the kidnappers equally deceived us on the geolocation. We developed non-kinetic measures in addition to intelligence-driven bush combing, and this led to identifying them deep inside the forest.”
He, however, said the female victim was found in critical condition and could not be revived.
“Unfortunately, by the time we got there, the lady was exhausted and we could not revive her. We met her dead or unconscious,” the commander stated.
One of the rescued victims, 38-year-old Adetan Adebanjo Adedayo, said he was abducted on August 3 while working on his farm in Oke-Igbo.
Adedayo said four armed men, who were carrying AK-47 rifles, accosted him while he was trying to reverse his vehicle, tied him up and marched him into the forest.
He said the gang later abducted another woman from a nearby farm and took the captives farther into the bush.
According to him, the victims endured hunger, physical assault and prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions during their captivity.
He added that the kidnappers subsequently contacted their relatives and demanded N100m ransom for each victim.
Adedayo said a fierce gun battle broke out when the Amotekun operatives confronted the kidnappers, eventually leading to their rescue.
He said the female victim had become extremely weak from lack of food and died shortly after they were freed.
“I tried to carry her and told her not to panic, but she was already dead. We paid nothing, not a single ransom, before the Amotekun came to rescue us,” he said.
Adeleye also disclosed that two other kidnap victims were recently rescued around the Ala-Dada axis after they managed to send a distress signal to security operatives.
He said the Amotekun team responded within minutes and successfully evacuated the victims from the forest.
The commander further disclosed the arrest of suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers operating around Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu and Omotosho in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
He said the suspects were allegedly involved in the abduction of people and the rustling of cattle belonging to herders, with some of the stolen animals reportedly sold to buyers at reduced prices.
Adeleye added that some suspected accomplices were still at large, noting that security agencies were making efforts to apprehend them.
He said two suspects, Akinlolu and Akintimi, were arrested over alleged illegal possession of firearms, while Jamiu was apprehended for allegedly vandalising buildings under construction and stealing electrical cables, plumbing materials and other fittings.
Another suspect, identified as Olajide, was arrested over alleged theft of iron rods, while Lomi Dada was accused of stealing an iron rod from the palace of a traditional ruler in Odigbo.
The corps commander also announced the recovery of a motorcycle allegedly stolen in Akure and taken to Ore for sale.
He identified Ojo, 25, and Opayemi, 29, as suspects linked to the alleged theft.
Adeleye said the 14 suspects paraded comprised nine persons arrested for various offences and five others allegedly connected with kidnapping and cattle rustling.
He added that one suspect linked to an earlier kidnapping case had been traced to Oyo State, where efforts were ongoing with sister security agencies to arrest and return him to Ondo State.
The commander assured residents, businesses and prospective investors of the commitment of the corps to maintaining security across the state.
He said forest surveillance and border patrols had been intensified, while Amotekun Rangers had been deployed to strategic locations, forest corridors and major junctions to deter criminal activities.
Another rescued victim, 36-year-old Lawal Onimisi Abdulhamid of Okene, said he and his boss escaped from suspected kidnappers after they were intercepted while travelling towards a farm around the Dada-Power Line axis.
Abdulhamid said between four and six armed men chased them with torches, forcing them to abandon their vehicle and seek refuge in the bush.
He said they subsequently alerted Amotekun operatives, who arrived shortly afterwards and rescued them.
The Chairman of the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area, Adeboye Adedare, commended Amotekun and other security agencies for their prompt intervention.
Adedare also praised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for responding swiftly after being informed of the abduction.
He urged residents not to dispose of their property or yield to pressure from kidnappers demanding ransom, expressing confidence in the ability of security agencies to rescue abducted persons.
The council chairman described the death of the female victim as painful, while commending the police, civil defence personnel, anti-kidnapping operatives, Amotekun and local hunters for their joint efforts.
He also praised Amotekun personnel for what he described as professionalism and dedication to their duties.
Adedare assured residents of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and the state generally that the security and welfare of the people would remain a priority.
