Residents of Ifon and other neighbouring communities in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State can now heave a sigh of relief as operatives of the state Security Network, known as Amotekun, arrested two suspected kidnappers operating along Owo/Ifon Highway.
The residents and travellers have been grappling with an increase in kidnapping incidents in recent months, particularly along Owo/ Ifon highways.
Recall that at the same highway, a first-class monarch was killed and five National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were kidnapped while two others were killed.
Narrating how he was abducted a few weeks ago , a resident of one of the communities, Pastor Jeremiah Adebo , said he was abducted when he went back to lock the entrance door of his church after a Wednesday prayer meeting. A young boy accosted and slapped him. Five others joined and with guns, took him into a thick forest.
The State Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who described how the suspects were nabbed, said the hoodlums were arrested by his men after abducting four travelers along the highway.
Adeleye said he led some of his men to the area in collaboration with local hunters from the area and rescued the victims, while two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested.
According to him, "These are no longer suspected kidnappers, they are confirmed kidnappers. The victims identified the suspects as the same individuals responsible for previous abductions in the area.
"These criminals had been arrested before but somehow managed to return to the same locality. Now, we have them again. One of the kidnappers usually blocked a portion of the road with a vehicle, forcing commuters to slow down and making them vulnerable to ambush.
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"Another suspect was identified as the individual who extorted ₦1.2m as ransom from a family in August. The same individual had demanded ₦20m this time but was apprehended at the scene before the ransom could be paid.
"This arrest sends a strong message: there is no hiding place for kidnappers in Ondo State anymore. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice and that our communities remain safe."
Some of the community leaders who spoke with me hailed the recent development , described it as a significant win in the fight against insecurity in the area.
Chief Akindele Oluwadra, a community leader and one of the local stakeholders in the area, commended the swift action of the security forces in restoring peace in to the area.
