Police arrest suspected kidnapper during N10m ransom collection in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper while allegedly attempting to collect a N10 million ransom from the family of an abducted victim in Otefon Village, Atiba Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, identified as Alhaji Bagudu, was reportedly abducted from his residence in Ilowa Village on May 9, 2026, and taken into a forest where his captors demanded ransom for his release.

Confirming the development on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the operation followed credible intelligence provided by operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Oyo State.

According to him, security operatives received information around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday that members of the kidnapping gang had assembled in Otefon forest to collect the ransom.

“Upon receipt of the intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, immediately directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (Oyo/Iseyin area), in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, to move into the area for a rescue and arrest operation,” Ayanlade said.

He explained that the operatives adopted a tactical strategy aimed first at securing the safe release of the victim before confronting the suspects.

“Upon confirmation that the victim had regained his freedom unharmed, operatives advanced towards the location where the suspected kidnappers had assembled to receive the ransom,” he added.

Ayanlade disclosed that the suspects opened fire upon sighting security personnel, leading to a gun battle during which one suspect, identified as Mohammed Sanni, was arrested.

Other gang members reportedly escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

The police recovered a motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY, a mobile phone, a pair of slippers and a cap from the scene. Authorities said the items are currently undergoing forensic analysis.

The police spokesman added that the suspect in custody had made useful confessional statements, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.

He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen public safety operations across the state.