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By Faheem Lawal
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two abducted children, arrested four suspected kidnappers and recovered sophisticated firearms in two separate operations across the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command received a distress report on Friday, June 27, 2026, that armed hoodlums invaded Ebinpejo Village, via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, where they ransacked houses, assaulted residents and abducted two children.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise operatives in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups and hunters for a bush-combing operation to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Acting on credible intelligence, the joint security team traced the abductors’ hideout deep inside a forest. On sighting the advancing operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, leading to a gun duel. The operatives overpowered the suspects, forcing them to flee in different directions.
One suspect, Umaru Usman, 25, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape and was arrested. Three mobile phones were recovered from the scene.
In a follow-up operation in the early hours of Saturday, June 28, 2026, another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, 28, who also sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire, was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment. He remains in police custody.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Sunday Idowu, 30, a local collaborator who allegedly provided logistical support to the syndicate, and Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, who reportedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the abduction.
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The four suspects are assisting investigators with information to help identify other members of the criminal network. The two abducted children were rescued unharmed and taken for medical examination. One sustained injuries during the ordeal but was treated before both victims were reunited with their family.
In a separate operation, and as a follow-up to the Command’s June 12, 2026 press release in which four suspects were arrested and a locally made pistol recovered, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted on credible intelligence 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 syndicate.
The operatives stormed the hideout at about 9 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2026. However, the suspects fled on sighting the police and escaped arrest. A search of the hideout led to the recovery of two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns with 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.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing kingpin and other members of his syndicate.
Police said the recovery of the sophisticated weapons underscored the dangerous capability of the criminal network and reaffirmed the Command’s determination to dismantle organised criminal groups operating in the state.
The Command acknowledged the support of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and members of the public, and commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, for his leadership and continued support for policing operations nationwide.
Investigations into both cases are ongoing, while all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
