The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a 60-year-old man, Isiaku Saidu, who was kidnapped in Iseyin Local Government Area of the state, while also arresting suspects linked to kidnapping and murder in separate operations.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan.
Ayanlade said the operations followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, that all efforts must be intensified to protect lives and property across the state.
“Over the past week, the command has recorded multiple operational successes, including the foiling of kidnapping attempts, the rescue of abducted victims, and the arrest of murder suspects,” he said.
According to the police, armed hoodlums numbering about five invaded Budo community via Bassi Camp in Iseyin on January 11, 2026, and abducted Saidu.
“Oyo Police foiled a kidnapping operation in Budo, Iseyin, on January 11, 2026. Armed hoodlums, numbering about five and armed with guns and cutlasses, invaded Budo via Bassi Camp in Iseyin and abducted Isiaku Saidu, male, 60 years,” Ayanlade stated.
He explained that following the incident, the Commissioner of Police ordered an immediate rescue operation.
Acting on the directive, the Divisional Police Officer in Ago-Are, alongside other security agencies, carried out aggressive patrols and bush-combing operations, which led to the discovery of the kidnappers’ hideout.
“Upon sighting the combined team, the suspects opened fire, engaging the operatives in a gun duel. This confrontation resulted in the neutralisation of one suspect, while another was arrested and is currently cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The remaining suspects fled the scene with bullet wounds,” he said.
The police urged residents to report anyone with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station.
In another operation, the command rescued a kidnapped woman, Hussinat Abubakar, at Gelede Camp in Komu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area, without any ransom being paid.
Ayanlade said three suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction.
“These efforts led to the rescue of the kidnapped victim without a dime being paid and the arrest of three suspects, namely Kari Ibrahim, male, 22 years; Dure Jimoh, male, 25 years; and Abubakar Sidi, male, 55 years,” he said.
He added that the suspects had confessed to the crime, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.
“The victim is receiving treatment and necessary support at a hospital, while the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” Ayanlade said.
He also disclosed that six expended cartridges were recovered during the operation, noting that the success underscored the command’s resolve to rescue victims swiftly and discourage ransom payments.
