By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Adetunji Adeleye, Ondo State Commander of Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun
Adetunji Adeleye, the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps has revealed how the corps rescued five kidnap victims in two locations across the state without paying ransom to kidnappers.
Four of the victims who were kidnapped on their way from farm along Ore-Ijebu-Ode/Lagos expressway, were rescued by Amotekun officers after spending days in the forest, while one other victim was rescued around Ifon forest five days after he was abducted at his Upemen residence on Owo-Ikare road.
Adeleye, who confirmed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Akure, said the armed kidnappers had demanded over N150million ransom from the victims’ families before Amotekun foiled the operations.
He disclosed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration had given a directive on the need to flush out kidnappers and disabuse ugly trend of paying ransom.
Adeleye who said special Amotekun rangers had been deployed into the major forests and locations in the state to curb criminalities, announced that over twelve armed robbery and kidnapping cases had been combated by Amotekun officers along Ore-Lagos road, particularly Ondo-Ogun states boundary.
The Amotekun Commander appealed to the people of the state to always provide timely security information, to ensure proper enforcement of anti-open grazing law against defualting herdsmen.
Adeleye said; “the parade we have today is a bit different from what we use to have. Today it is the harvest of victims of kidnap without one kobo ransom paid. In the first instance the government of Ondo State is doing everything to ensure that safety of lives and properties in ondo state is guaranteed.
“Therefore all security agencies especially the Amotekun corps have been mandated to enter the forest in the last few months. The result is what we are showcasing today. We have one Stanley Adeyeye, Olatunji Sidikat and Olatunji Moruf, a couple that were kidnaped along Lagos-Ore road on the 10th of May.
“The good thing about it is within few minutes of this occurrence they contacted our distress call like and we mobilized men to enter the forest. They were kidnapped by armed men and led into the bush. I want to tell you today that by the grace of God, Amotekun corps have been able to recover the 4 of them present here today without payment of 1 kobo and no loss of lives.
“In the same vein, one Emmanuel Adeladun that was kidnapped along Ikare-Owo road on the 6th of May was also rescued without payment of a kobo as ransom. Despite the fact that the attackers inflicted several matchet cuts and wound on him, we acted on credible intelligence and we are able to secure his release.
“In the case of Emmanuel Adeladun, they started with the ransom of N50million. On the day they told him he was going to be killed if funds were not paid they were actually expecting the money. We told them we are bringing N10million in exchange for him but we were able to get him without payment of one kobo.
“In the case of Ayodele Olatunji and Stanley, they were expecting N100million naira but we told them that we are bringing N15million and we were able to rescue them without payment of one kobo and no casualty.”