Soldiers arrest suspected kidnappers in Ondo, rescue victims

Men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, in  Ondo state, in the early hour of Wednesday, apprehended five suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate, who have been tormenting the people of Owo and its environs.

The five armed men were arrested after kidnapping nine farmers working on a farm belonging to one  Mr Godwin Ugu, who raised the alarm after the abduction of the nine farmers from his farm.

Following the alarm, men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, swung into action, around 1 am, combing the forest in the area, before capturing the hoodlums in their camp in the middle of the night.

According to a release by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations of 32 Artillery Brigade Akure, Captain Victor Olukoya, who explained that the suspected kidnappers were apprehended in Jugbere village, in Owo Local Government Area of the state, after a tip off from members of the public.

He stated that five of the victims who were held hostage were rescued by the troop when four others had escaped from the kidnappers’ den before the arrival of the rescue troops.

He said “During the raid operation, troops were able to rescue five of the hostages while four others escaped from the kidnappers’ den.

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“The rescued hostages and some of the suspects who sustained minor injuries are presently undergoing first aid treatment at the 32 Artillery Brigade Medical Centre.”

Olukoya listed some of the items recovered from the hoodlums to include; one dane gun, eight live cartridges axe, cutlasses and charms

He, however, said the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate security agency after the conclusion of the preliminary investigation.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the 323 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Zakari Logun Abubakar has ordered for intense patrol in both Ondo and Ekiti state.

The patrol was aimed to rid the two states of some undesirable element ts within the two states and to make the states free of crimes.

Abubakar who commended the member of the public for their cooperation with the security agencies in the state assured that the people of the two states can sleep with their two eyes closed.

He appealed to the members of the public not to entertain fear in availing security agencies useful information on the activities of criminals which can lead to the arrest of perpetrators of evil in the states.