Oyo Police Rescue Abducted Children, Nab Four Suspects

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two children abducted by gunmen, arrested four suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of sophisticated firearms in separate intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within and outside the state.

The command said the successful operations underscored its renewed commitment to combating violent crimes through coordinated security efforts and strategic intelligence gathering.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the children were kidnapped on Friday, June 27, after armed men stormed Ebinpejo Village near Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area.

The attackers reportedly invaded homes, assaulted residents and escaped into a nearby forest with the victims.

Following reports of the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to immediately deploy operatives in collaboration with personnel of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters to track the kidnappers.

The statement said the combined security team, acting on credible intelligence and supported by technical resources, traced the gang’s hideout deep inside the forest.

“As the operatives closed in on the hideout, the hoodlums opened fire, leading to a gun duel. The security team responded professionally, forcing the suspects to abandon their position and flee in different directions,” the statement said.

One of the suspects, identified as 25-year-old Umaru Usman, was arrested at the scene after sustaining gunshot injuries while attempting to escape. Three mobile phones believed to belong to the suspects were also recovered.

The police disclosed that another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, 28, was apprehended during a follow-up operation in the early hours of Saturday after he was found with gunshot wounds allegedly sustained during the exchange of fire. He is currently receiving medical treatment while in police custody.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Sunday Idowu, 30, who was alleged to have provided logistical support to the gang, and Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, said to have travelled from Ilorin in Kwara State to participate in the abduction.

Police said the four suspects were assisting investigators with useful information that could lead to the arrest of other fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.

The rescued children were taken for medical evaluation before being reunited with their family. One of the victims received treatment for injuries sustained while in captivity.

In another breakthrough, operatives attached to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit recovered several sophisticated weapons from a suspected armed robbery gang’s hideout in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

The operation, the police said, followed actionable intelligence obtained after the arrest of four robbery suspects earlier this month.

Although the suspected gang leader and several accomplices escaped before the arrival of security operatives, a search of the hideout led to the recovery of two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns, one Magnum pump-action rifle, an English-made revolver pistol and 36 rounds of live cartridges.

The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects, describing the recovered weapons as evidence of the criminal network’s operational capacity.

It commended the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and residents for their cooperation during the operations, while also expressing appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his continued support.

The command assured residents that investigations into both cases were continuing and that all suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.