A Joint Task Force (JTF) established to protect Kogi/Ekiti border areas has arrested two suspected kidnappers in Ekiti State.

The JTF, comprising the military, police, Amotekun corps, and local hunters, under ‘Operation Eradicate Bandits’ at the Borders of Rural Ajoni Communities’ (EBBORAC), also recovered part of the N3 million collected from the victims.

The Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Michael Ogungbemi, disclosed this to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Thursday.

Ogungbemi stated that the suspects were nabbed during a joint operation in the forest in the Irele-Kogi border area.

The council boss said the operation became fierce as the kidnappers hurriedly freed three victims from captivity, adding that the development provided a lead for the joint task force to proceed with the combing operation of all the forests within the axis.

The Commandant, Amotekun Corps in Ekiti State, Brig-Gen. Joe Akomolafe (Retd), while confirming the arrest on Thursday, said the suspects had held four victims hostage for days before they were apprehended and the victims freed.

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Akomolafe said the suspects were now in police custody, while the freed victims had received treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

A school principal, two teachers, and a nurse were abducted last week at Irele-Ekiti, in Ajoni LCDA, and taken to an unknown destination by the assailants.

Three of the abductees were later freed upon payment of a sum of N3 million ransom, while one of them reportedly escaped from the abductors.

“When they knew that the operation was closing in on them, the three victims in their custody were hurriedly released this afternoon (Thursday). This further provided a lead for the operation.

“Part of the ransom collected from the victims was recovered and the released victims are now in the hospital receiving treatments.

“The JTF also succeeded in apprehending two suspects, who are now undergoing interrogation and investigation by the police.

“I can confirm to you that the two suspects arrested are being held by the police.

“Regarding the freed victims, they were initially taken to the hospital, but they have been reunited with their respective families,” Akomolafe said.

The Star