The Ondo State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers following a shootout in a forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis in Isua-Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.

The police also recovered N1.5 million suspected ransom proceeds and foodstuffs during the operation.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu.

According to the statement, the operation began on Friday, September 11, 2026, following credible intelligence that a group of suspected kidnappers hiding in the forest was planning to emerge and collect ransom.

Acting on the information, operatives of Isua Division, in collaboration with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, and Agbe-Koya, launched a coordinated rescue and ambush operation in the forest.

The statement said the security operatives maintained surveillance for several hours before the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest at about 11:30 p.m.

The suspects allegedly opened fire after sighting the security operatives, prompting the team to tactically repel the attack and rescue the two victims, identified as Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt.During the encounter, the operatives recovered N1.5 million suspected to have been brought for ransom payment.

The police said the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the forest.However, following sustained follow-up operations and intelligence gathering, the suspects were sighted along Idoani Road at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 13.

The police subsequently mobilised to the area and arrested three suspects, two of whom had sustained gunshot injuries to their legs.

The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar and Oseni Abubakar, all residents of the Akunnu area.The command said the two rescued victims later visited the police station and positively identified the suspects as the persons who abducted them.

A Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police was also identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation.

The motorcycle remains in police custody as investigations continue.Commending the officers and men of Isua Division, alongside personnel of Amotekun and Agbe-Koya, CP Ohagwu praised their courage, professionalism and collaboration in securing the rescue and arrests.

The Commissioner ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Akure, for discreet investigation aimed at uncovering the full network and bringing all those connected with the operation to justice.

The command reiterated its determination to deny criminal elements access to forests and other hideouts across the state, assuring that intelligence-led operations against kidnappers and other violent criminals would be sustained.