Two kidnap victims have regained their freedom after a gun duel between security operatives and suspected kidnappers in the forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis of Ondo State.

The operation also led to the arrest of three suspected members of the gang and the recovery of N1.5 million believed to have been brought as ransom for the victims.

The victims, identified as Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, were rescued unhurt by a joint security team comprising operatives of the Ondo State Police Command, Amotekun Corps and Agbe-Koya.

The rescue followed credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers were hiding in the forest and were preparing to emerge to collect ransom from the victims’ relatives.

According to the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, the operatives took strategic positions along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours.

Jimoh said the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest at about 11:30 p.m., but opened fire when they sighted the security operatives.

He said the operatives tactically repelled the attack and succeeded in rescuing the two victims.

“During the encounter, the security operatives recovered the sum of N1,500,000, suspected to have been brought for ransom payment.

“The suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest,” Jimoh said.

He disclosed that three suspects — Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar; were subsequently arrested.

The three suspects, all males and residents of the Akunnu area, were taken into custody for questioning as investigations continued.

Jimoh added that the two rescued victims later reported at the police station, where they positively identified the arrested suspects as the men who allegedly abducted them.

A Bajaj motorcycle previously recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being linked to the operation.

The motorcycle, he said, remained in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.

The police spokesperson assured that efforts were continuing to track down other members of the gang who escaped into the forest during the gun battle.