... Says family using cattle business as cover

… Rescues victim, recovers ransom

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has paraded 28 suspects arrested for various criminal offences, including a father and his three sons who allegedly orchestrated a kidnapping operation in the Northern Senatorial District of the state.

While parading the suspects at the headquarters of the corps in Akure, the state capital, the commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the family were using their herd of cattle as cover for their criminal activities.

 

The suspects were identified as Iliasu, 56, who is the father, and his sons Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; and Yakubu, 18.

According to Adetunji, the eldest son, who was also involved in the kidnapping, had fled the state for about two years but returned recently to coordinate the latest operation when a victim was abducted while travelling to Oba Akoko, Akoko South West Local Council of the state.

The Amotekun commander revealed that the victim was held captive even after his family paid a ransom without informing Amotekun, with the kidnappers threatening the family against reporting the incident.

He said, ‘We have Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; Yakubu, 18; and their father, Iliasu, 56, arrested in Oba Akoko, Ondo State. The victim is here. The father who was arrested is here. The children involved are also with us on this parade. ‎

“The eldest son who was involved in the kidnapping managed to escape and fled the state for about two years. We learnt he only recently returned to coordinate this latest operation.
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‎The ransom paid did not pass through Amotekun. The family paid the ransom themselves. ‎When we busted the place where the victim was kept, all the money found there, which the victim confirmed was the ransom paid for his release, was recovered and brought here.
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“‎That is the money on display. Amotekun is not involved in ransom payments, so we are not interested in how much was paid. ‎As far as the Corps is concerned, we do not encourage the payment of ransom. Since the money belongs to the family, it is being returned to them.
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“‎On armed banditry, we have Mohammed, Tekasu, Rabi, Abubakar and Saibu, all arrested. We equally have Kalij and Adamu arrested in the same operation.
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“‎On illegal possession of firearms, robbery and cultism, we have Ayodele, 26; Oluwatobi, 24; and Michael, 34, all arrested.
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“‎On rape and stealing, we have Olagi, also arrested. ‎In the Akure South axis, we have Idowu and Taiwo arrested for conspiracy and stealing of a generator.
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“‎Also in Akure South, we have 39; Abdul, 27; and Amodu David, all arrested in connection with conspiracy and stealing of food items. ‎On breach of peace, we have Akpaba Felix, 30; Agbonuma Abigail, 25; Mak, 24; Kelvin, 24; Kuma, 27; and Tuk, 24, all arrested in Oke-Ijebu, Akure, for conspiracy and breach of peace.”