The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has confirmed that a female farmer abducted from the Parubber Community in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area died in captivity. The tragic outcome was announced on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a press briefing in Akure, where Commander Adetunji Adeleye paraded 14 suspects arrested across the state.
Rescue Mission and Fatal Outcome
According to Adeleye, nine operatives from the corps' Special Squad launched an immediate rescue mission after receiving a distress call about the abduction of two farmers in Okeigbo. Working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the team tracked the kidnappers into a reserve forest. The gunmen had demanded a N100 million ransom for the release of the two victims.
"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," Adeleye said, as reported by Daily Trust and The Guardian.
The operation was conducted on the direct directive of Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who ordered security agencies to prioritize the rescue of the victims. One of the suspected kidnappers has been traced to Oyo State, and arrangements are ongoing with sister agencies to apprehend him.
14 Suspects Paraded, Five Rescued in Separate Operations
Beyond the Okeigbo incident, Amotekun operatives also dismantled a kidnapping syndicate operating in the Ore axis of Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting members described as the "main culprits." Two additional suspects, identified as Akinlolu and Akintimi, were arrested separately for alleged illegal possession of firearms.
Of the 14 suspects paraded, nine face charges related to breach of law and order, while five are linked to kidnapping offences. In a separate overnight operation, four men were rescued in the Ala-Dada axis after their families sent distress signals, allowing Amotekun Rangers to intervene. Together with the Okeigbo survivor, Adeleye confirmed that five kidnap victims were freed in total across the various operations.
Background and Broader Security Concerns
The incident traces back to the abduction of two farmers from Parubber Community, who were ambushed on their farms and taken into a nearby forest by masked, armed assailants. A third farmer who escaped the attack reported that kidnappers had been calling one victim's wife to demand ransom.
In a related incident, a traditional ruler, Adeniyi Adelana, was kidnapped by armed bandits in Ondo State during a late-night attack. The gunmen shot the monarch's wife, who is receiving medical treatment. The police have launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate the ruler.
The Amotekun commander reassured residents and potential investors that security forces remain committed to protecting lives and property throughout Ondo State.
