The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a 25-year-old man, Jimoh Isah, who was abducted by suspected bandits along the Ifira–Isua Akoko Road in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.
Isah was attacked at about 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday when four armed men reportedly ambushed commuters on the Ifira/Isua Akoko axis. He was riding a Bajaj motorcycle with his wife, Esther Isah, 22, and their young son when the assailants seized him.
The suspects later abandoned his wife, their child and a physically challenged man who was also caught during the attack.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the rescue followed a distress report received at the Isua Divisional Police Headquarters.
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He explained that the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised operatives and coordinated with non-state actors to mount a swift tactical response.
Abayomi said the joint team stormed the area, combing surrounding forests and blocking suspected escape routes in a coordinated bush operation.
He added that sustained intelligence-led pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim, leading to his safe rescue.
“The sustained search, intelligence-led pressure and coordinated security operations compelled the suspects to abandon the victim, who was later rescued unharmed,” he said.
Abayomi noted that Isah has since been reunited with his family, while efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Commending the swift response and professionalism of the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to tackle crime and criminality across the state.
Lawal also praised the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for what he described as visionary leadership and reforms that have strengthened intelligence sharing and operational coordination nationwide.
He assured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, urging members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information to security agencies.
