The Oyo State Police Command has narrated how its operatives, working alongside the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters, rescued two abducted children, arrested four suspected kidnappers and recovered sophisticated firearms in separate operations across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, saying the operations underscored the command’s commitment to tackling violent crimes through intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums invaded Ebinpejo Village via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area on Friday, June 27, where they allegedly ransacked homes, assaulted residents and abducted two children.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to immediately mobilise police operatives in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters to rescue the victims and apprehend the kidnappers.
The command said the joint security team, acting on credible intelligence and deploying technical support, traced the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside a forest.
It explained that the suspects opened fire on sighting the advancing operatives, leading to a gun battle during which the security team overpowered the criminals and forced them to flee.
One of the suspects, identified as Umaru Usman, 25, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape and was arrested, while three mobile phones were recovered from the scene.
The police added that a follow-up operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, 28, who was also found with gunshot wounds believed to have been sustained during the exchange of fire. He was taken to hospital for treatment and remains in police custody.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Sunday Idowu, 30, alleged to have provided logistical support to the gang, while another suspect, Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, was arrested for allegedly travelling from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the kidnapping operation.
According to the command, the four suspects are assisting investigators with useful information to facilitate the arrest of other members of the criminal syndicate.
The abducted children were rescued alive and taken for medical treatment. Police said one of the victims sustained injuries during the ordeal but was treated before both children were reunited with their family.
In another operation, the command said operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit recovered an arsenal of weapons from the hideout of a suspected armed robbery syndicate in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
The operation, carried out on Friday, June 27, followed credible intelligence indicating that a wanted armed robbery kingpin was hiding in the area with members of his gang.
Although the suspects escaped before they could be arrested, a search of the hideout led to the recovery of two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns, one Magnum pump-action rifle, one English-made revolver pistol and 36 live cartridges.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, noting that the recovery highlighted the dangerous capabilities of the criminal network while demonstrating the command’s determination to dismantle organised criminal groups before they strike.
The command appreciated the support of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and members of the public for their cooperation during the operations.
It also expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his leadership and continued support for policing operations nationwide.
The command assured residents that investigations into both cases were ongoing and that all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.