The Ondo State Police Command on Friday said it had launched a search for two farmers who were abducted at Parubber community in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the victims were kidnapped while working on their farms on Monday and marched into a nearby forest by the armed assailants.

The kidnappers were said to have contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N100m for their release.

A source said, “The kidnappers have contacted the wife of one of the victims and demanded N100m ransom. They have been pressuring the family to pay the money.”

The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the command received a report of the abduction at the Oke-Igbo Divisional Headquarters and had commenced a search for the victims.

“A joint security team comprising police operatives, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Amotekun personnel, local hunters and vigilantes has launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.

“Also, intelligence-driven efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims unhurt and bring those behind the abduction to justice,” the PPRO stated.

He urged residents of the community to remain calm and provide credible information that could aid the rescue operation.