Thursday, May 14, 2026 - A member of a kidnapping gang was arrested while trying to collect a N10m ransom demanded from the relatives of a victim at Otefon village in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victim identified as Alhaji Bagudu, was kidnapped at his
residence in Ilowa village last week and later whisked away to Otefon
forest.
The spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka
Ayanlade, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, May 14, 2026 said
other suspects fled into the adjoining forest with varying degrees of injuries
after a gun duel with the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and members of the Vigilante
Group of Nigeria.
One suspect identified as Mohammed Sanni, was arrested and
has made useful confessional statements regarding his role and involvement
within the criminal syndicate.
The PPRO said police operatives recovered a Hajoue
motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY, believed to have been used for
the gang’s logistics and operations.
"On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at about 0100hrs, credible
intelligence was received through operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria,
Oyo, indicating that a gang of suspected kidnappers had assembled at Otefon
Village Forest to collect ransom from relatives of a kidnapped victim,"
the statement read.
"Upon receipt of the intelligence, the state
Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, immediately directed operatives
attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Oyo/Iseyin axis, in collaboration with
members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, to move into the area with a view to
rescuing the victim and apprehending the criminal elements responsible for the
abduction.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang,
consisting of about six armed men, had on May 9, 2026, invaded the residence of
one Alhaji Bagudu ‘M’ of Ilowa Village, Atiba Local Government Area, abducted
him and subsequently taken him into the Otefon Forest.
"The abductors were said to have demanded the sum of
N10m as ransom for his release.
“In a carefully coordinated joint operation, security
operatives strategically prioritised the safe release of the victim before
making tactical moves against the suspected kidnappers.
“Upon confirmation that the victim had regained his freedom
unharmed, operatives advanced towards the scene to apprehend the hoodlums and
prevent any further threat to
"Leveraging robust intelligence gathering and
technological tools, security operatives successfully identified the exact
location where the suspected kidnappers had assembled and strategically laid an
ambush for the criminal elements.
“Upon the arrival of the individual conveying the alleged
ransom and subsequent confirmation of the victim’s safe release, operatives
from the police and other collaborating security outfits approached the scene.
“However, on sighting the advancing security team, the
suspected kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a gun duel.
"In the ensuing exchange, the suspects fled into the
adjoining forest with varying degrees of suspected gunshot injuries, while one
suspect identified as Mohammed Sanni ‘M’ was apprehended.
“Also recovered during the operation was a Hajoue motorcycle
with registration number TUT 824 TY, believed to have been used for the gang’s
logistics and operations.
“Other items recovered from the scene include one small
mobile phone, a pair of slippers and a cap, all currently undergoing forensic
examination.
“The suspect is currently in custody and has made useful
confessional statements regarding his role and involvement within the criminal
syndicate. Meanwhile, concerted efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing
members of the gang and bring them to justice."
The command, therefore, urged members of the public with
credible and timely information capable of aiding ongoing investigations or
leading to the arrest of the fleeing suspects to promptly report such to the
nearest police station or any security post closest to them.
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