One of two farmers abducted by gunmen in Okeigbo, Ondo State, has died in captivity, despite efforts by security operatives to rescue the victims.
The deceased farmer, a woman, was found dead deep inside a reserve forest where the kidnappers had taken her and another victim.
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, said the other farmer, a man, was rescued during the operation.
The development was disclosed on Monday by the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, while parading 14 suspects at the command’s headquarters in Akure, the state capital.
Adeleye also announced the rescue of five other kidnap victims in separate operations across the state and the arrest of suspects allegedly linked to kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms and other offences.
The two farmers were reportedly abducted by gunmen in Parubber Community, in the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state, a few days before the rescue operation.
The kidnappers were said to have demanded N100 million as ransom for the release of the victims.
Adeleye said the Amotekun Special Squad immediately began a search for the victims after receiving a distress call about the abduction.
He said nine operatives were deployed for the rescue operation and later worked with other security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services, to track the kidnappers.
According to him, the operation was intensified following a directive from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
The commander said the security operatives initially faced difficulties because the kidnappers used deceptive tactics to mislead them about their location.
He said the operatives eventually traced the victims to a reserve forest several kilometres away from the scene of the abduction.
Adeleye said the security team succeeded in rescuing the male victim but could not save the woman.
“I’m glad to let you know that several kilometres away from the scene of crime, we successfully secured the release of the two of them that were kidnapped in Okeigbo,” he said.
He added, “We were able to rescue a life without a problem, the man. But unfortunately, by the time we got there, the lady was exhausted and we couldn’t revive her because we met her dead or unconscious.”
The commander did not give further details on how the woman died or how long she had been in captivity before the security team reached the location.
Adeleye said efforts were ongoing to apprehend those behind the abduction, adding that one of the suspected kidnappers had been traced to Oyo State.
He said the Amotekun Corps was working with security agencies in Oyo State to arrest the suspect and bring him to justice.
The Okeigbo incident is the latest in a series of kidnapping cases that have raised concern among residents, farmers and travellers in parts of Ondo State.
Criminal gangs have in recent years taken advantage of forests and isolated rural communities to abduct people and demand ransom from their families.
Farmers are particularly vulnerable because many of them work in remote locations far from security formations and populated areas.
The situation has also led to concerns about farming activities, as fear of kidnapping can discourage farmers from going to their farms, potentially affecting food production and the local economy.
The Amotekun Corps was established by the South-West states as a regional security outfit to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in tackling crimes, including kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminal activity.
In Ondo State, the corps has continued to conduct patrols and intelligence operations in forests and rural communities.
Adeleye said the corps had also recorded other successes in recent operations.
According to him, operatives arrested suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate operating around the Ore axis of Odigbo Local Government Area.
He said the suspects were believed to be involved in kidnapping activities in the area.
“Today again, we have a group that specializes in kidnapping all in Odigbo local government. After very decisive actions, we were able to arrest the main culprits who in collaboration with some at large,” Adeleye said.
He disclosed that two other suspects, identified as Akinlolu and Akintimi, were arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms.
Giving a breakdown of the 14 suspects paraded, the commander said nine were arrested for alleged offences relating to breach of law and order, while five were linked to kidnapping.
He also disclosed that four men abducted in the Ala-Dada axis were rescued in another operation.
Adeleye said the timely intervention of security operatives was made possible by distress calls from some of the victims’ families.
He explained that the information enabled Amotekun Rangers operating in the forest to move quickly and rescue the victims.
“Only yesterday night, we were equally able to rescue four men in the Ala-Dada axis that were being kidnapped,” he said.
The commander stressed that the ability of security agencies to receive timely information from members of the public was important in the fight against kidnapping.
He urged residents to provide security agencies with useful information about suspicious movements and criminal activities in their communities.
Kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s major security challenges, with criminals often operating in groups and using forests as hideouts.
Victims are frequently moved from one location to another, making it difficult for security agencies to trace them. In some cases, kidnappers also use false information and other tactics to confuse rescuers.
The Okeigbo case highlights the danger posed by such tactics, as security operatives had to track the kidnappers over several kilometres before locating their victims.
The death of the female farmer also underscores the danger faced by kidnapped persons, particularly those held for several days in difficult conditions.
While the male victim survived the ordeal, the circumstances surrounding the death of his female companion are expected to form part of further investigations.
The Amotekun Corps said it would continue working with the police, DSS and other security agencies to track down the remaining suspects.
Adeleye assured residents and potential investors that the state remained committed to protecting lives and property.
He said the security agencies would not allow criminal elements to undermine economic activities or create fear among residents.
The commander also assured farmers and other residents in rural communities that security operatives would continue to patrol vulnerable areas and forests in an effort to prevent further attacks.
For the family of the deceased woman, however, the rescue operation ended in tragedy, even as the successful rescue of the other farmer and five additional victims provided some relief.