Joint security operation launched to rescue abducted Oyo farmer

The Oyo State Police Command has launched a joint security operation to rescue a farmer, Mr. Owoade Mathew, who was abducted on his farm in Igbojaye Community, and to arrest the perpetrators.

In a Monday statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said it commenced a comprehensive investigation immediately after receiving a distress report at about 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, July 12.

According to the police, preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, a resident of Igbojaye, had gone to his farm along the Igbojaye–Budo Aare Farm Road at about 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, 11 July 2026, but failed to return home.

“A search party organized by members of his family later recovered his Bajaj motorcycle at the farm in the early hours of Sunday. Shortly thereafter, the victim’s mobile phone was used to contact his family, during which the caller informed them that he had been abducted, prompting the report to the Police,” the statement said.

The command clarified that contrary to reports circulating in some sections of the media, the victim was abducted on his farm and “not within the premises of any school.”

It urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and rely only on official information from the Oyo State Police Command.

Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the deployment of a coordinated joint rescue team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters.

Ayanlade said the team has been conducting intensive combing of surrounding forests to locate and rescue the victim.

He added that the operation has since been reinforced by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical teams.

“The Commissioner of Police has assured the good people of Oyo State that the Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the State of kidnapping and other violent crimes,” Ayanlade stated.

He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and provide timely and credible information to assist ongoing security operations, assuring that “every available operational and intelligence resource is being deployed to ensure a successful outcome.”

The command reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property and said it would continue to work with sister security agencies and community stakeholders to sustain peace across the state.