Suspected kidnappers have abducted a businessman in Irawo, Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, during an attack that also left a 10-year-old girl with gunshot injuries.
The incident occurred on Monday night after the victim, identified as Alhaji Wasiu Aleshinloye, was allegedly trailed by armed men from Kraal Market in Ago-Are to his filling station and later to his residence in Irawo.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, the attackers abducted the businessman at gunpoint and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the case was reported at the Tede Police Division around 10:20 p.m. on May 11, 2026.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that three armed men carried out the operation after allegedly monitoring the victim’s movement from the market to his residence.
Ayanlade disclosed that during the attack, a 10-year-old girl identified as Modinat Aleshinloye sustained gunshot injuries.
“The victim was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical attention and extraction of pellets,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that detectives who visited the scene recovered three expended ammunition shells, which are currently undergoing ballistic examination, as well as three face caps believed to have been used by the suspects.
He stated that a forensic investigation had commenced while tactical and intelligence-driven operations were ongoing to rescue the abducted businessman and apprehend those behind the attack.
The latest abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity and kidnapping incidents in parts of Oyo State.
In a similar incident earlier this year, a 60-year-old trader was abducted in the Monatan area of Lagelu Local Government Area by four masked gunmen while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road.
