The kidnappers, who attempted to flee on sighting the soldiers, were found with guns and cartridges in their den.
Soldiers of the 32 Artillery Bridage in Ondo State have arrested three kidnappers in its ongoing war against crime.
The three culprits, whose names were not revealed, are members of a kidnap syndicate that operated on the notorious Akoko road.
Ojo Adenegan, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, disclosed to SaharaReporters in Akure on Monday that the kidnappers were busted in their various camps in the forest, following an operation to flush out criminals from flash point areas of Akoko land.
SaharaReporters had reported that no fewer than 13 high-profile abductions have occurred on Akoko road in the past two years.
Top among them is the kidnap of the ex-regent of Akoko, wife of the Iboropa monarch, and a cleric, who was later shot dead in the forest.
Major Adelegan said the kidnappers were nabbed by soldiers from the Owena Baracks, who combed all the forests in Ajowa, Akunu, Isua, Auga, Isua and Ikakumo-Akoko for five days.
He noted that the arrested culprits confessed to involvement in a series of kidnap cases in Akoko axis of the state.
According to him, the kidnappers have been handed over to security agencies in the state for further investigation and prosecution.
"We conducted a five-day clearance operation at various flash points in Ajowa, Akunu, Ise, Auga, Isua and Ikakumo-Akoko forests," he said.
"During the operation, we arrested three of the kidnappers, who wanted to flee upon sighting our men. We found weapons such as guns and cartridges in their den, before we set the all the camps in the forest on fire."
He, however, pleaded with members of the public to provide the Army in the state with timely information that could help in arresting other collaborators on the run.
The Akoko road has become a nightmare for motorists transiting from the state to the northern part of the country for business transactions.