The Joint Task Force raised to protect the Kogi/Ekiti border area has arrested two suspected kidnappers that reportedly held four victims hostage in the last few days.
The JTF, comprising combined forces of the military, police, Amotekun corps, local hunters and Operation Eradicate Bandit at the Borders of Rural Ajoni Communities (EBBORAC), also recovered part of the N3 million collected from the victims as ransom.
A school principal, two teachers and a nurse were last week abducted at Irele-Ekiti, in Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ekiti state and taken to an unknown destination by the gun-wielding abductors.
Three of the abductees were later freed upon payment of a sum of N3 million ransom while one reportedly escaped. The chairman of Ajoni LCDA, Michael Ogungbemi, told journalists in Ado-Ekiti Thursday that the suspects were nabbed during a joint operation inside the vast forest at Irele-Kogi border area.
Ogungbemi said the operation became so terrific that the kidnappers hurriedly freed three victims from captivity, which provided a lead for the JTF to comb operation of all forests in the axis.
“When they knew that the operation was closing in on them, three victims in their possession were released this afternoon. This further provided a lead for the operation.
“Part of the ransom collected from the victims was recovered and the released victims are now in the hospital receiving medical treatments.
“The JTF also succeeded in apprehending two suspects, who are now undergoing interrogation and investigation by the police,” he said.
However, the Commandant, Amotekun Corps in Ekiti state, Brig Gen. Joe Komolafe, confirmed the arrest.
Akomolafe stated that those arrested are now in police custody, while the freed victims received adequate treatment.
“I can confirm to you that two suspects arrested are being held by the police. Regarding the freed victims, they were initially taken to the hospital, but they have reunited with their respective families,” he stated.
