The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has arrested two suspected kidnappers, including one allegedly caught while negotiating ransom payments.

The Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Monday while parading 10 suspects arrested for various offences across the state.

Adeleye said one of the suspected kidnappers, identified as Gambo, 27, was apprehended during a ransom negotiation operation coordinated by Amotekun operatives and informants.

According to him, the suspect was unaware that security operatives had closed in on him while he was discussing ransom demands before he was arrested behind the Shasha area of Akure.

He added that another suspect, Murtala, 19, was arrested with a locally made firearm and other weapons after allegedly attempting to kidnap the wife of his former employer in Molege, Owo.

The Amotekun commander revealed that Murtala had allegedly gained access to the woman’s residence with the intention of abducting her, but the operation failed after the family raised an alarm, prompting a swift response from security operatives and local residents.

Adeleye also disclosed that Amotekun recently rescued a woman and her two children from suspected kidnappers following a distress call from the Isinigbo/Osi axis of the state.

“I received a distress call directly from the Isinigbo/Osi area, and within five minutes, my men were there. After a brief scuffle with the kidnappers, we were able to rescue the woman and her two children from the claws of the kidnappers,” he said.

He commended members of the Fulani community who assisted security operatives in identifying some criminal elements, noting that their cooperation contributed significantly to the successful arrest of the suspects.

The commander further revealed that investigations showed one of the suspects had confessed to involvement in several kidnapping activities and had planned to target his former employer’s family in his latest operation.

Aside from the kidnapping suspects, eight other suspects were paraded for offences ranging from motorcycle theft, armed robbery to burglary of churches and housebreaking.

Adeleye said the latest arrests reflected the commitment of security agencies to combating crime across the state, adding that criminal activities had reduced significantly due to sustained security operations.

He assured residents that security operatives would continue to maintain surveillance and respond swiftly to threats in order to protect lives and property across Ondo State. (Daily Trust)