Just In: Oyo Police rescue abducted children, arrest four kidnapping suspects, recover firearms
The Oyo State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on violent crime, rescuing two abducted children, arresting four suspected kidnappers and recovering a cache of sophisticated firearms linked to an armed robbery syndicate.
The Command said the achievements followed intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and other security stakeholders across the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga.
According to the statement, the rescue operation was launched after the Command received a distress call on Friday, June 27, that armed hoodlums had invaded Ebinpejo Village, via Lanlate, in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, where they attacked residents, ransacked houses and abducted two children.
The Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise operatives and work with other security agencies as well as community-based security groups to commence an intensive search-and-rescue operation.
Acting on credible intelligence and technical support, the joint security team traced the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside a forest.
“Upon sighting the advancing security team, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. The operatives responded professionally, overpowering the criminals and forcing them to flee in different directions,” the statement said.
During the operation, one of the suspects, Umaru Usman, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape and was arrested. Three mobile phones were recovered from the scene.
Police said a follow-up operation in the early hours of Saturday led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, who was also found with gunshot wounds allegedly sustained during the exchange of fire. He was taken to hospital for treatment and remains in police custody.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Sunday Idowu, who allegedly served as a local collaborator by providing logistical support to the kidnapping syndicate.
Another suspect, Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, was arrested after investigators discovered that he had allegedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the abduction.
The Command said all four suspects are assisting investigators with useful information aimed at tracking down other members of the criminal network.
Meanwhile, the two abducted children were rescued alive and taken for medical examination and treatment. One of the victims sustained injuries during captivity but was successfully treated before both children were reunited with their family.
In a separate operation, the Police Command also recovered sophisticated firearms from an armed robbery syndicate during a follow-up investigation linked to an earlier arrest made on June 12.
According to the statement, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted on credible intelligence indicating that a wanted armed robbery kingpin, believed to be in possession of an English-made pistol, was hiding with members of his gang in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
Although the suspects fled on sighting the operatives, a thorough search of their hideout led to the recovery of two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns with serial numbers T3586 and 0217/2011, one Magnum pump-action rifle with serial number S&W357, one English-made revolver pistol and 36 live cartridges.
The Command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, noting that the recovery underscores the dangerous capabilities of organised criminal gangs operating within and beyond Oyo State.