By Tola Gbadamosi

The Commander of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, has revealed that the Corps rescued several kidnap victims in recent weeks without the payment of a single kobo in ransom, as the agency intensifies its crackdown on criminals terrorising the state.

Speaking during a briefing in Akure, Adeleye described the recent rescue operations as a “harvest of kidnap victims without one kobo paid as ransom,” attributing the success to intensified forest operations and coordinated responses to distress calls.

According to him, “The government of Ondo State is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property. All security agencies, especially the Amotekun Corps, have been mandated to comb the forests in recent months. The results are what we are showcasing today.”

Among the rescued victims were Stanley Adeyeye, Olatunji Sidikat, and Olatunji Moruf—a couple kidnapped along the Lagos-Ore road on May 10.

Adeleye recounted that Amotekun operatives responded within minutes of receiving the distress call and tracked the armed kidnappers into the forest.

“They were kidnapped by four armed men and led into the bush. By the grace of God, the Amotekun Corps was able to recover them without the payment of a kobo and without any loss of life,” he said.

Similarly, Emmanuel Adeladun, who was kidnapped along the Ikare-Owo road on May 6, was rescued despite sustaining multiple machete wounds during the attack.

“We acted on credible intelligence and were able to rescue the victim unharmed. He has since received medical attention at our medical facility,” Adeleye added.

The Amotekun Commander appealed to the public to provide actionable intelligence, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.

“We want the perpetrators of these evil acts to understand the body language of the Ondo State government: zero tolerance for crime, kidnapping, and armed robbery,” he declared.

He disclosed that in Adeladun’s case, the kidnappers initially demanded a N50 million ransom and threatened to kill him.

“We told them we were bringing N10 million, but we got him out without paying a kobo,” he said.

Similarly, in the case of Ayodele Olatunji and Stanley, who were abducted with a N100 million ransom demand, the Corps feigned negotiation by offering N15 million and eventually secured their release without any financial settlement or casualties.

Adeleye also highlighted ongoing border security cooperation with Ogun and Osun states.

“Less than 500 metres after crossing the bridge into Ogun State, you’ll see both Ondo and Ogun Amotekun vehicles parked. This joint border patrol is yielding tremendous results. In the last month alone, we have foiled no fewer than 12 kidnapping and robbery attempts,” he stated.

On the enforcement of the anti-open grazing law, Adeleye reminded the public that night grazing, underage grazing, metropolitan grazing, and highway grazing remain illegal.

“Anyone who violates these provisions will be prosecuted,” he said.

He noted recent operations around Ilu -Abo to Ilado, where Amotekun operatives spent three consecutive days apprehending herders and cows destroying crops and encroaching on airport land.

“Two of them are currently being prosecuted,” he confirmed.

Adeleye reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to 24/7 patrols and rapid response to credible information, reiterating that public collaboration remains key to a safer Ondo State.