Ondo: Gunmen Abduct Two Farmers, Demand N10m Ransom

Suspected gunmen have abducted two farmers along the Oke-Ifira/Idogun forest axis in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

A relative of the victims disclosed the incident during a Phone conversation with Daily Trust on Tuesday, saying the farmers were kidnapped on Saturday in the area.

The family member said the incident had been reported to the police and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun.

According to the relative, the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N10 million for the victims’ release.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the police received a report that the victims were missing but had yet to verify any ransom demand.

Jimoh said a joint security team comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, Agbekoya operatives and community volunteers had been deployed to the forest to intensify search and rescue operations.

He said the command had mobilised operational and intelligence assets to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

The police spokesperson, however, stressed that the command was not aware of any ransom demand linked to the incident.

He appealed to residents with credible information that could aid the rescue operation to promptly report such intelligence to security agencies.