…bus driver shot dead, one hospitalised
Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, on Thursday rescued four kidnapped passengers after engaging armed bandits in a prolonged gun duel inside a forest in the state.
State Commander Adetunji Adeleye disclosed this in Akure while parading five suspects arrested for alleged kidnapping, fraud and other offences.
Adeleye said trouble began when gunmen ambushed a passenger bus, killed the driver and whisked away five occupants. A distress call alerted Amotekun operatives, who immediately deployed a rescue team to the area.
“On entering the forest, our men came under heavy fire,” he said. “After an intense exchange, we were able to rescue four of the five abducted passengers. Unfortunately, the driver was shot dead as the attackers attempted to force the bus to stop.”
He said the operation lasted more than three hours as operatives combed the forest to track the criminals.
Among those rescued, he added, were three women and the bus conductor.
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“One of the women, who had been shot by the attackers prior to Amotekun’s arrival, was stabilized at the corps’ health facility.
“Two of the suspected kidnappers, who allegedly fired at officers and killed the bus driver, were arrested during the operation,” he further added.
In a related development, Amotekun boss said his men also foiled an attempted abduction of a female Correctional Service Officer.
According to him, the suspects had posed as visitors assisting inmates before attempting to kidnap her.
“The officer escaped by raising an alarm near the Amotekun outpost at Cathedral Junction, where operatives rescued her and apprehended the suspects.”
However, he said the 5th suspect paraded was accused of defrauding his employer of N77.2 million, attempting to sell her property, and issuing death threats.
Commending the efforts of his men, Adeleye said the arrests resulted from multiple operations conducted over the past 48 hours under Operation Le Won Jade, supported by border patrol teams and the ongoing 24/7 ember-month security watch.
“There is no hiding place for criminals, bandits, or kidnappers in Ondo State,” the commander reiterated.
He added that Amotekun, in collaboration with the military, police, DSS, civil defence, vigilantes, and local hunters, has intensified regional security coordination.
Adeleye, however, assured residents that major roads, communities, and public spaces across the Southwest are being reinforced to ensure a crime-free environment.
