Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two abducted children and arrested four suspected kidnappers during coordinated security operations in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of the state.
The children were freed after armed men reportedly attacked residents of Ebinpejo Village in the Lanlate area and abducted the victims, prompting a joint rescue mission involving police operatives, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the operation was launched on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, following a distress report from the community.
He said security operatives tracked the kidnappers to a forest hideout, where a gun battle ensued after the suspects opened fire on the advancing team.
“Acting on credible intelligence, supported by technical resources and coordinated field operations, the joint security team successfully traced the abductors’ hideout deep within the forest.
“On 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.
Police said a 25-year-old suspect, Umaru Usman, was arrested with gunshot wounds sustained while attempting to escape. A second suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, 28, was later apprehended during a follow-up operation and taken into custody for treatment after he was found with similar injuries.
Investigators subsequently arrested Sunday Idowu, 30, and Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, who allegedly travelled from Kwara State to participate in the abduction. The command said all four suspects were assisting investigators in identifying other members of the criminal network.
The police confirmed that the two children were rescued alive, treated for injuries sustained during captivity and reunited with their family.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit targeted a suspected armed robbery syndicate linked to a wanted kingpin believed to be hiding in Lagos State.
Although the suspects fled before their arrest, security operatives recovered two Russian-made double-barrel guns, a Magnum pump-action rifle, an English-made revolver pistol and 36 live cartridges from the hideout.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that the operations underscored its commitment to intelligence-driven policing and collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.
