By Sunday Ameh
Suspected kidnappers have abducted two farmers along the Oke-Ifira/Idogun forest corridor in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, prompting a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies.
The victims were reportedly seized on Saturday while working in the forested area, according to a family member who disclosed the incident during a radio phone-in programme in Akure on Tuesday.
The relative said the abduction had been reported to both the Ondo State Police Command and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, adding that the kidnappers had allegedly demanded a ₦10 million ransom for the victims’ release.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command received a report that the two farmers were missing but noted that it had not confirmed any ransom demand.
Jimoh disclosed that a joint security operation involving personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, Agbekoya operatives and community volunteers had been launched to comb the forest and rescue the victims.
According to him, both operational and intelligence assets have been deployed to track down the abductors, secure the release of the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
The police spokesperson appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in the ongoing search and rescue mission.
The incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Ondo State, where attacks on farmers and travellers have continued to pose a threat to livelihoods and public safety.
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