The victims were traveling to Akure, the capital of Ondo State, from a South-South state when the event happened over the weekend, according to a source.
The number of those who were kidnapped was first reported in various ways. However, Funmilayo Odunlami, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, informed reporters that seven people had been abducted.
According to Odunlami, the police have subsequently acted quickly to capture the criminals and bring the victims to safety.
In the meantime, 28 criminal suspects have been taken into custody by agents of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also called Amotekun Corps, in different regions of the state.
Among them is Ayodele Ijidakinro, a 55-year-old suspected serial rapist who just finished serving a three-year prison sentence for the same crime.
Adetunji Adeleye, the Ondo Amotekun Commander, paraded the suspects Monday at the Amotekun Corps headquarters in Akure. He revealed that 24 of the suspects were arrested for a variety of law and order violations, including three for kidnapping and one for confrontations between farmers and herders.
Akpan, Alimi, and Emmanuel, three alleged kidnappers, were apprehended in Akure, Emure, and Upeme-Owo, respectively, he stated.
Adu Ojo, a specialist in ATM fraud, was paraded for those who broke the law. By allegedly rigging ATMs to capture victims’ cards, retrieving them using a secret code, and depleting their accounts, he allegedly scammed gullible people.
Mafo and Asara, two suspects, were taken into custody on charges of rape and conspiracy. Idris Umaru, one of the suspects, was also found to be unlawfully grazing on a farmer’s land and using underage herders.
Also, one Lawal was arrested for stealing cell phones and pumping machines, and three of the suspects—Oluwafemi, Francis, and Sunday—were apprehended for burglary.
Ismaila Kazim, another suspect, was taken into custody for assaulting commercial motorbike riders, stealing their vehicles, and then selling them.
