The Oyo State Police Command has foiled an alleged ₦10 million kidnap ransom operation following a coordinated security raid.
Disclosing this on Thursday, the Command’s spokesperson, DAP Ayanlade Olayinka, said that the raid also led to the rescue of an abducted victim and the arrest of a suspected kidnapper in Otefon Forest.
According to him, the breakthrough followed intelligence received by security operatives that suspected kidnappers had gathered in the forest to collect ransom from relatives of their victim.
Acting on the tip-off, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, working alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), launched a joint operation aimed at rescuing the victim and apprehending the suspects.
Police investigations revealed that the victim, identified as Alhaji Bagudu, was abducted from his residence in Ilowa Village, Atiba Local Government Area, on May 9 by about six armed men who later demanded ₦10 million for his release.
Security operatives reportedly ensured the victim regained freedom safely before advancing on the ransom collection point. However, the suspects opened fire on sighting the security team, leading to a gun duel.
One suspect, identified as Mohammed Sanni, was arrested during the operation, while others escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
Recovered from the scene were a motorcycle allegedly used for the operation, a mobile phone, slippers and a cap, all of which are undergoing forensic examination.
The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
