By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two abducted children and arrested four suspected kidnappers following coordinated security operations in Ibarapa East Local Government Area.
The operation, which also led to the recovery of sophisticated firearms from a separate armed robbery syndicate, underscores the Command’s renewed offensive against violent crime in the state.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Ayanlade Olayinka, the Commanf Public Relations Officer, the children were abducted after armed men invaded Ebinpejo Village via Lanlate on Friday, June 27.
The attackers reportedly ransacked homes, assaulted residents and fled with the victims.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise police operatives alongside personnel of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters for an intensive search operation.
Acting on credible intelligence and technical surveillance, the joint security team tracked the suspects to a forest hideout. The kidnappers reportedly engaged the operatives in a gun battle but were overpowered and forced to flee.
Police arrested 25-year-old Umaru Usman, who sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape, and recovered three mobile phones from the scene.
A follow-up operation on Saturday led to the arrest of another suspect, 28-year-old Abdullahi Ahmed, who also suffered gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire and is currently receiving treatment in police custody.
Investigators subsequently arrested Sunday Idowu, 30, for allegedly providing logistical support to the kidnappers, and Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, who reportedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the abduction.
The police said the suspects are assisting investigators with information to help track down other members of the criminal network.
The rescued children received medical attention, while one victim who sustained injuries during the ordeal was treated before both were reunited with their family.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit recovered a cache of sophisticated firearms from the hideout of a wanted armed robbery kingpin in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
Although the suspects escaped before police arrived, a search of the hideout yielded two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns, a Magnum pump-action rifle, an English-made revolver pistol and 36 live cartridges.
Police said the operation followed intelligence linking the fleeing suspects to an armed robbery syndicate and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to apprehending those responsible.
The Command said the successful operations reflect its commitment to intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
It added that investigations are ongoing and that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
