Suspected gunmen have abducted two farmers in the Oke-Ifira/Idogun forest axis of Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, prompting an intensified rescue operation by security agencies.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday while in the forest, according to a relative of one of them, who disclosed the incident during a phone-in programme on a radio station in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday.
The family member said the abduction was immediately reported to the Nigeria Police and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, adding that the kidnappers had allegedly demanded a ransom of N10 million for the release of the victims.
“The abductors are demanding a N10 million ransom for their freedom,” the relative said during the radio programme.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the police received a report that the two farmers were missing and had since activated a coordinated search operation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Jimoh said the report was lodged at the Isua Akoko Divisional Police Headquarters and that security personnel were working to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible.
He explained that a joint security team comprising officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, Agbekoya operatives and community volunteers had been deployed to comb the affected forest.
“The Ondo State Police Command wishes to clarify reports circulating regarding the alleged kidnapping of farmers in the Oke-Ifira/Idogun forest axis of Akoko,” Jimoh said.
“The command can confirm that a report of missing persons was received at the Isua Akoko Divisional Headquarters.
“Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing, with all available operational and intelligence resources being deployed to locate the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The police spokesman, however, stated that the command had no official information confirming that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom.
“Meanwhile, the command wishes to categorically state that it is not aware of any ransom demand in connection with this incident,” he added.
Jimoh appealed to residents and members of the public with credible information that could assist the ongoing operation to promptly provide such intelligence to the police to aid efforts to rescue the victims safely and arrest the perpetrators.
The latest incident adds to concerns over insecurity in parts of Ondo State, where cases of kidnapping along forests and rural communities have continued to pose challenges to residents and security agencies.
