Police rescue abducted children in Ibarapa forest, arrest four suspects, recover firearms

By Adeola Badru

The Oyo State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing campaign against violent crime, rescuing two abducted children, arresting four suspected kidnappers and recovering a cache of sophisticated firearms linked to an armed robbery syndicate.

The Command said the successes were recorded through intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups and hunters.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on behalf of the Command.

According to the statement, the rescue operation followed a distress call received on Friday, June 27, reporting that armed hoodlums had invaded Ebinpejo Village, via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, where they attacked residents, ransacked homes and abducted two children.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise operatives and collaborate with other security agencies and community-based security outfits to launch a coordinated search operation.

Acting on credible intelligence and technical support, the joint security team traced the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside a forest.

“Upon sighting the advancing security team, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. The operatives responded professionally, overpowering the criminals and forcing them to flee in different directions,” the statement said.

During the operation, one of the suspects, Umaru Usman, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape and was arrested. Three mobile phones were recovered from the scene.

The police said a follow-up operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, who was also found with gunshot wounds allegedly sustained during the exchange of fire with security operatives.

Ahmed was taken to hospital for treatment and remains in police custody.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Sunday Idowu, described as a local collaborator who allegedly provided logistical support to the kidnapping syndicate.

Another suspect, Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, was arrested after investigators allegedly established that he travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the abduction.

The Command said all four suspects are assisting investigators in efforts to track down other members of the criminal network.

Meanwhile, the two abducted children were rescued alive and taken for medical examination and treatment. One of the victims, who sustained injuries during captivity, received medical attention before both children were reunited with their family.

In a separate operation, the Command recovered sophisticated firearms from an armed robbery syndicate during a follow-up investigation linked to an earlier arrest made on June 12.

According to the police, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted on intelligence indicating that a wanted armed robbery kingpin, believed to be in possession of an English-made pistol, was hiding with members of his gang in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

Although the suspects fled on sighting the operatives, a search of their 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 36 live cartridges.

The Command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.

It noted that the recovery underscored the dangerous capabilities of organised criminal gangs operating within and outside Oyo State, while commending the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration.

The police also praised the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and members of the public whose support contributed to the successful operations.

The Command further expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his leadership and continued support for policing operations across the country.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, the Oyo State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

It assured the public that investigations into both cases are ongoing and that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

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