The suspects, identified as Iliasu, 56, Usman, 33, Wahab, 27, and Yakubu, 18, were paraded alongside 24 other suspects arrested for various crimes at the Amotekun headquarters in Akure on Monday.
Speaking during the parade, the State Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspects abducted a man identified as Oyebade Samuel after his vehicle developed a mechanical fault along the Oba-Akoko Road.
According to Adeleye, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N40 million from the victim's family before eventually accepting N1.6 million.
However, despite receiving the ransom payment, the suspects allegedly refused to release the victim and warned his family against reporting the incident to security agencies.
The family later alerted Amotekun, leading to an intelligence-driven operation that tracked the suspects to their hideout.
Adeleye disclosed that the suspects allegedly disguised themselves as cattle rearers while carrying out kidnapping operations in the area.
He added that the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Amotekun operatives during the rescue mission but were eventually subdued.
"The victim was rescued alive with multiple machete and knife injuries and was immediately taken to the hospital for medical treatment," the commander said.
According to Adeleye, operatives also recovered more than 75 per cent of the N1.6 million ransom paid by the victim's family.
Other items recovered from the suspects included alcoholic beverages, hard drugs, cigarettes and other materials believed to be connected to their criminal activities.
The Amotekun commander further revealed that one of the suspects, believed to be the leader of the gang, had been on the corps' watchlist since 2024 for alleged involvement in several kidnapping cases across the Ondo North Senatorial District.
He explained that the suspect had fled the state during previous security operations but recently returned and allegedly coordinated the latest abduction.
Recounting his ordeal, the rescued victim said four armed men emerged from the bush after his vehicle broke down, attacked him and dragged him into the forest, where he was held captive until Amotekun operatives rescued him.
Adeleye reiterated the agency's opposition to the payment of ransom, stating that all recovered funds would be returned to the victim's family.
He also assured residents that the corps would continue intensifying efforts to rid Ondo State of criminal elements.
"There is no safe haven for criminals in Ondo State," he said.
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