The Oyo State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on violent crimes, rescuing two abducted children, arresting four suspected kidnappers, and also recovering sophisticated firearms linked to an armed robbery syndicate.
The Command said the successes were achieved through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with local security stakeholders, including the Amotekun Corps, vigilante groups, and hunters.
This was contained in a statement on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka,on behalf of the Command.
According to the statement, the rescue operation followed a distress call received on Friday, June 27, reporting that armed hoodlums had invaded Ebinpejo Village, via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, where they attacked residents, ransacked homes and abducted two children.
The statement said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise operatives and work with other security agencies and community-based security groups to launch an intensive search operation.
Acting on credible intelligence and technical support, the joint security team reportedly traced the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside a forest.
“Upon 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.
During the operation, one of the suspects, identified as Umaru Usman, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape and was arrested while three mobile phones were recovered from the scene.
Police further disclosed that a follow-up operation carried out in the early hours of Saturday led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, who was also found with gunshot wounds allegedly sustained during the exchange of fire with security operatives.
Ahmed was immediately taken to hospital for treatment and remains in police custody.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Sunday Idowu, described as a local collaborator who allegedly provided logistical support to the kidnapping syndicate.
Another suspect, Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, was arrested after investigators discovered he had allegedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the abduction operation.
The Command stated that all four suspects are assisting investigators with information aimed at tracking down other members of the criminal network.
Meanwhile, the two abducted children were rescued alive and taken for medical examination and treatment. One of the victims sustained injuries during captivity but was successfully treated before both children were reunited with their family.
In a separate development, the Police Command announced the recovery of sophisticated firearms from an armed robbery syndicate during a follow-up operation linked to an earlier arrest made on June 12.
According to the statement, operatives attached to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted on credible intelligence indicating that a wanted armed robbery kingpin, believed to be in possession of an English-made pistol, was hiding in the Ajah area of Lagos State with members of his gang.
Although the suspects escaped upon sighting the operatives, a thorough search of their hideout yielded a significant cache of weapons.
Recovered exhibits included two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns bearing serial numbers T3586 and 0217/2011, one Magnum pump-action rifle with serial number S&W357, one English-made revolver pistol, and 36 live cartridges.
The Command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing kingpin and other members of the criminal gang.
Police authorities noted that the recovery reflects the dangerous capacity of organised criminal groups operating within and beyond the state, while praising the effectiveness of proactive intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation.
The Command commended the contributions of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and members of the public whose support aided the success of the operations.
It also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for what it described as his strategic leadership and continued support for policing operations in the region and across the country.
Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of lives and property, the Oyo State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The Command assured the public that investigations into both cases are ongoing and that all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.