The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper during an operation to foil the collection of a N10 million ransom demanded for the release of an abducted resident in Atiba Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was apprehended at Otefon Village after security operatives stormed the area following intelligence reports that members of a kidnapping gang had assembled in a nearby forest to collect ransom from the victim’s relatives.
The victim, identified as Alhaji Bagudu, was reportedly abducted from his residence in Ilowa Village on May 9, 2026, by armed men who later took him into the Otefon forest and demanded ransom for his release.
Confirming the development on Thursday, the spokesman of the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence provided by operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in the state.
According to him, information received at about 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday revealed that the kidnappers were preparing to receive the ransom in the forest area.
Ayanlade said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbemiga Abimbola, immediately directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in the Oyo/Iseyin axis, in collaboration with local vigilantes, to launch a rescue and arrest operation.
He explained that the security team adopted a tactical strategy aimed primarily at securing the safe release of the victim before engaging the suspects.
“Upon confirmation that the victim had regained his freedom unharmed, operatives advanced towards the location where the suspected kidnappers had assembled to receive the ransom,” Ayanlade stated.
The police spokesperson disclosed that the suspects opened fire on sighting security operatives, resulting in a gun duel between both parties.
During the exchange, one of the suspects, identified as Mohammed Sanni, was arrested, while other members of the gang reportedly escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
Security operatives recovered several items from the scene, including a motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY, a mobile phone, a pair of slippers, and a cap. The police said the recovered items are currently undergoing forensic analysis.
Ayanlade added that the suspect in custody had provided useful confessional statements to investigators, while efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest other fleeing members of the gang.
The police command also appealed to residents of the state to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing operations against criminal activities.
