Ondo Amotekun parades 5 suspects, rescues kidnap victims after fierce forest shootout

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has paraded five suspects linked to various criminal offences, including kidnapping, attempted abduction and fraud.

Adetunji Adeleye, the Commander of the Corps, while parading the suspects on Friday in Akure, said the arrests followed multiple operations carried out by Amotekun operatives within the last 48 hours under Operation Le Won Jade, supported by the Border Patrol and the ongoing 24/7 ember-month security watch.

According to him, four of the five suspects were arrested in connection with a kidnapping incident that occurred around 4:50 pm on Monday. A distress call alerted Amotekun to heavy gunfire in a forested area, prompting the deployment of a rapid response team, which joined forces with local security personnel.

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“On entering the forest where the incident occurred, our men came under heavy attack,” the commander said. “At the end of the operation, we successfully rescued four of the five kidnapped passengers, though the bus driver was shot dead when the attackers tried to stop the vehicle.”

Adeleye disclosed that the rescue operation lasted over three hours as operatives combed the forest. Among those rescued were three women and the bus conductor. One of the women, who was shot by the attackers before Amotekun’s arrival, was stabilised at the corps’ health facility.

Two of the suspected kidnappers who allegedly fired at the officers and killed the bus driver were arrested during the operation.

In another incident, Adeleye said Amotekun foiled an attempted abduction of a female correctional service officer. The suspects had posed as visitors to inmates and pretended to be assisting the officer to town before attempting to kidnap her. She managed to escape by raising an alarm near the Amotekun outpost at Cathedral Junction, where operatives rescued her and apprehended the suspects.

The fifth suspect paraded was accused of defrauding his employer of ₦77.2 million, attempting to sell her property, and issuing death threats.

Read also: Amotekun parades 38 suspects for kidnapping, murder, illegal immigration in Ondo

Adeleye reiterated that Ondo State remains a hostile territory for criminals. “There is no hiding place for criminals, bandits or kidnappers in Ondo State,” he said. “All rescued victims received treatment at no cost, and no ransom was paid.”

He also announced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s approval for the recruitment of 500 additional Amotekun personnel. Interested applicants are to download and submit their forms via the agency’s website on or before December 8, 2025.www.ossnamot.com

The commander added that Amotekun, in collaboration with the military, police, DSS, civil defence, vigilantes and local hunters, has intensified regional security coordination. He assured residents that major roads, communities and public spaces across the Southwest are being reinforced to ensure a crime-free environment.

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