The Oyo State Police Command has recorded two major breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against violent crime with the rescue of two abducted children, the arrest of four suspected kidnappers, and the recovery of sophisticated firearms from an armed robbery syndicate.
The Command disclosed the development in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on Monday, describing the operations as a testament to its commitment to intelligence-led policing and the protection of lives and property across the state.
According to the statement, the first operation followed a distress report received on Friday, June 27, 2026, that armed hoodlums had invaded Ebinpejo Village via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, where they allegedly ransacked several houses, assaulted residents and abducted two children.
Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise police operatives in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups and hunters to launch an intensive bush-combing operation to rescue the victims and apprehend the suspects.
The Command stated that acting on credible intelligence, supported by technical resources and coordinated field operations, the joint security team traced the abductors’ hideout deep inside a forest.
It added that the suspects opened fire on sighting the advancing security operatives, leading to a gun duel.
“The operatives responded professionally, overpowered the criminals and forced them to flee in different directions,” the statement said.
During the operation, one of the suspects, Umaru Usman, 25, who sustained gunshot injuries while attempting to escape, was arrested. Three mobile phones were also recovered from the scene.
In a follow-up operation carried out in the early hours of Saturday, June 28, another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, 28, was apprehended. Police said he was also found with gunshot wounds believed to have been sustained during the exchange of fire and was immediately taken to hospital, where he remains under police custody.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Sunday Idowu, 30, who was identified as a local collaborator allegedly responsible for providing logistical support to the criminal syndicate.
Operatives also arrested Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, who reportedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the abduction.
According to the police, the four suspects are assisting investigators with useful information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal network.
The Command further disclosed that the two abducted children were rescued unhurt and taken for medical examination. One of the victims, who sustained injuries during the ordeal, received prompt medical treatment before both children were reunited with their family.
The police said investigations into the kidnapping case are still ongoing, assuring residents that further developments would be made public as investigations progress.
In another major breakthrough, the Oyo State Police Command announced the recovery of sophisticated firearms from a suspected armed robbery syndicate operating from Ajah, Lagos State.
The operation, carried out by the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, was a follow-up to an earlier operation of June 12, 2026, during which four robbery suspects were arrested and a locally fabricated pistol recovered.
Acting on fresh intelligence, operatives stormed a hideout in Ajah on Friday, June 27, where a wanted armed robbery kingpin, believed to be in possession of an English-made pistol, was reportedly hiding alongside members of his gang.
Although the suspects escaped upon sighting the police team, a comprehensive search of the hideout led to the recovery of two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns bearing serial numbers T3586 and 0217/2011, one Magnum pump-action rifle with serial number S&W357, one English-made revolver pistol and thirty-six live cartridges.
The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the entire criminal syndicate.
The Command noted that the recovery of the sophisticated weapons underscores the dangerous capabilities of the gang and demonstrates the determination of the police to proactively prevent violent crimes through intelligence-driven operations.
Commending the collaboration of sister security agencies, the Command expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local vigilante groups, hunters and members of the public whose timely information and cooperation contributed significantly to the successful operations.
The Command also conveyed its appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for what it described as his exemplary leadership, strategic guidance and continuous support, which have strengthened policing operations nationwide.
Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property, the Oyo State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely, credible and actionable intelligence to security agencies, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The Command added that investigations into both cases are ongoing, while all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations
