The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two abducted children, arrested four suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of sophisticated firearms in separate intelligence-led operations carried out across the state.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the first operation was launched after armed men invaded Ebinpejo Village via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, attacking residents and abducting two children.
Following the incident, Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga directed the immediate deployment of a joint rescue team comprising police operatives, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
Acting on credible intelligence backed by technical surveillance and coordinated field operations, the security team tracked the kidnappers to a hideout deep inside a forest. The suspects reportedly opened fire upon sighting the operatives, leading to a gun battle. The security personnel returned fire, forcing the criminals to flee in different directions.
During the operation, police arrested 25-year-old Umaru Usman, who sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape. Three mobile phones were recovered from the scene.
A follow-up operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday, 28 June 2026, led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, 28, who was also found with gunshot injuries believed to have been sustained during the exchange of fire. He was taken to hospital for treatment and remains in police custody.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Sunday Idowu, 30, who police described as a local collaborator, and Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, who allegedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the kidnapping.
Police said the four suspects are assisting investigators with information aimed at identifying and apprehending other members of the criminal network.
The command confirmed that both abducted children were rescued alive, with one receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the ordeal before they were reunited with their family.
In a separate operation, officers attached to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted on intelligence indicating that a wanted armed robbery kingpin was hiding in the Ajah area of Lagos State with members of his gang. Although the suspects escaped before they could be arrested, a search of the hideout led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons.
The recovered exhibits included two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns, a Magnum pump-action rifle, an English-made revolver pistol and 36 live cartridges. Police said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.
The command described the recovery of the firearms as evidence of the criminal syndicate’s dangerous capabilities and reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led policing, rapid operational response and collaboration with other security agencies.
The police also commended the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and members of the public for their support, noting that their cooperation was instrumental to the success of the operations.
