The Southwest Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, has successfully secured the freedom of five kidnap victims without the payment of a dime as ransom.
This feat was achieved after the operatives of the corps bombarded the bushes and forests of Ondo State in search of the victims who had earlier been kidnapped at different locations.
Addressing journalists in Akure, the Ondo State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, highlighted the agency’s recent successes, describing the rescue operation as a result of rapid response, inter-agency collaboration, and credible intelligence.
“Today is different from other days. It’s a celebration — a harvest of rescued victims,” Adeleye said. “These victims were kidnapped in various parts of Ondo State, but through prompt action and strategic deployment, we were able to secure their release without paying a single naira.”
Among those rescued were a couple, Sidikat Olatunji and Maruf Olatunji, alongside another individual, Stanley Adeyeye, abducted at Iro-oye along the Lagos-Ore road on May 10.
Within minutes of the incident, Adeleye noted, Amotekun operatives were deployed and successfully tracked the kidnappers in the forest. Four armed men were said to have led the victims into the bush, but they were overpowered.
Similarly, Emma Adeladun, who was kidnapped on May 6 along the Ikare-Owo road, was rescued despite sustaining machete wounds from his captors. He is currently receiving treatment at a state medical facility.
“These operations demonstrate the efficiency of our distress call response and the importance of intelligence sharing,” Adeleye emphasized, calling on the public to continue providing credible and timely information. “Everything will be handled in strict confidence,” he assured.
According to Adeleye, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million for the Olatunjis and N50 million for Adeladun. In both cases, Amotekun operatives employed a tactical deception strategy, pretending to negotiate with the kidnappers before launching rescue operations.
“No ransom was paid, no lives were lost, and the victims are back with their families,” he said. “This shows the government’s zero tolerance for crime.”
In response to growing concerns about increased incidents along previously less-affected roads, Adeleye confirmed that Amotekun has intensified patrols in the border regions of Ondo, Ogun, and Osun states.
“Joint patrols are now actively ongoing along the Ogun-Ondo axis, with vehicles stationed strategically less than 500 meters from state boundaries,” he explained. “Over the past month, we’ve foiled no fewer than 12 kidnapping and robbery attempts.”
On the persistent issue of herders violating the anti-open grazing law, Adeleye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcement. “There is no night grazing, no underage grazing, no highway grazing, and offenders are being prosecuted,” he said.
He revealed that just five days earlier, Amotekun conducted a three-day operation from Ilu Abo to Ilado, apprehending several herders and impounding cattle that had destroyed crops and violated the grazing law. Two individuals are currently facing prosecution.
Commander Adeleye concluded with an appeal for community cooperation, saying: “We cannot be everywhere at once. But with your support, we will continue to ensure Ondo State remains safe for all.”
