The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, has arrested 28 suspects for alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed banditry, robbery, cultism, rape, theft and other criminal offences across the state.

Addressing journalists at the corps’ headquarters in Akure on Tuesday, Amotekun Commander Akogun Adetunji Adeleye said the arrests followed a series of operations carried out over the past few days.

Among those arrested were a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, and his three sons Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; and Yakubu, 18 who are accused of kidnapping a man in Oba Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area.

Adeleye alleged that the family had been under surveillance since 2024 over suspected kidnapping activities in the state’s Northern Senatorial District and used cattle as a cover for their operations.

According to him, the victim’s family initially paid a ransom without notifying security agencies, but the kidnappers allegedly refused to release the victim and warned the family against reporting the incident. The matter was later reported to Amotekun, which launched a rescue operation.

He said the victim was rescued despite an attack on operatives by the suspects. The victim, who sustained injuries from knives and cutlasses, was taken to hospital for treatment. Adeleye added that operatives recovered more than 75 per cent of the ransom, as well as drugs, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and a suspected blindfold used during the abduction.

The commander also announced the arrest of several other suspects over alleged kidnapping, armed banditry, illegal possession of firearms, robbery, cultism, rape, theft, conspiracy and breach of peace in different parts of the state, including Owo and Akure.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to tackling insecurity, Adeleye warned that criminals would find no safe haven in Ondo State, stressing that Amotekun operatives have been strategically deployed across the state to protect residents and commuters.