Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested a suspected kidnapper during an operation to rescue an abducted victim and disrupt a planned N10 million ransom collection in Atiba Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was apprehended at Otefon village forest following a joint operation involving the police Anti-Kidnapping Squad and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
The victim, identified as Alhaji Bagudu, was abducted from his residence at Ilowa village on May 9 and reportedly taken into the Otefon forest by a gang of armed men who later demanded N10m for his release.
Confirming the operation on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the police acted on intelligence provided by local vigilantes.
“On Wednesday, 13th May 2026, at about 0100HRS, credible intelligence was received through operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Oyo, indicating that a gang of suspected kidnappers had assembled at Otefon Village Forest to collect ransom from relatives of a kidnapped victim,” he said.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, immediately ordered operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in the Oyo/Iseyin axis to move into the area alongside vigilante operatives.
The police said security operatives prioritised the safe release of the victim before moving in to confront the suspects.
“In a carefully coordinated joint operation, security operatives strategically prioritized the safe release of the victim before making tactical moves against the suspected kidnappers,” Olayinka stated.
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He disclosed that operatives tracked the exact location where the suspects had assembled through intelligence gathering and surveillance before laying ambush for the gang.
“Upon the arrival of the individual conveying the alleged ransom and subsequent confirmation of the victim’s safe release, operatives from the Police and other collaborating security outfits approached the scene,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that the suspects opened fire after spotting the advancing security team, leading to a gun battle.
“However, on sighting the advancing security team, the suspected kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. In the ensuing exchange, the suspects fled into the adjoining forest with varying degrees of suspected gunshot injuries while one suspect identified as Mohammed Sanni ‘M’ was apprehended,” he said.
Items recovered from the scene included a Hajoue motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY, believed to have been used for the gang’s operations, as well as a mobile phone, slippers and a cap.
Police said the items were undergoing forensic examination, while the arrested suspect had already made “useful confessional statements” regarding the activities of the gang.
“The suspect is currently in custody and has made useful confessional statements regarding his role and involvement within the criminal syndicate,” the statement added.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and urged residents to report anyone with suspicious gunshot injuries or credible information that could assist ongoing investigations.
“This successful operation further buttresses the Command’s continuous appeal for credible intelligence sharing, cooperation and collaboration between the Police and members of the public,” Olayinka said.
