Gunmen Abduct Two Ondo Farmers, Demand ₦10m Ransom as Security Operatives Launch Rescue Mission

Two farmers have been abducted by suspected gunmen in Ifira, an agrarian community in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding a ₦10 million ransom for their release.

‎According to sources, the victims were ambushed while on their way to their farmland and taken into a nearby forest by the armed assailants.

‎A family member of one of the victims confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Nigeria Police Force and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.

‎The relative disclosed that the abductors had established contact with the families and were demanding ₦10 million before releasing the victims.

‎”We have reported the incident to the police and the Amotekun Corps. We are appealing to the security agencies and the government to help rescue our brothers safely,” the family member said.

‎Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the Isua Akoko Divisional Police Headquarters received a report of two missing persons.

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‎He explained 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 in the Oke-Ifira/Idogun forest axis to locate and rescue the victims.

‎”Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with all available operational and intelligence resources deployed to locate the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Abayomi said.

‎The police spokesperson, however, clarified that the command had not received any official information regarding the alleged ₦10 million ransom demand.

‎”The Command wishes to categorically state that it is not aware of any ransom demand in connection with this incident,” he added.

‎Abayomi appealed to residents with credible information that could aid the rescue operation to promptly report to security agencies, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.

‎He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to securing the safe release of the victims, apprehending those behind the abduction, and maintaining security across the state. Meanwhile, residents have been urged to remain calm, vigilant and continue supporting ongoing security efforts with timely and credible information.

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