BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command, working in collaboration with local hunters and other security agencies, have successfully neutralised three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted victim during a coordinated security operation in Otu, located within the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.
The operation, which authorities described as intelligence-driven and tactical, was carried out following a distress call from local hunters who reportedly came under heavy gunfire attack from suspected kidnappers while on a hunting expedition in the area.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the command, Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the incident began on May 25, 2026, when the hunters encountered armed criminals believed to be operating within the forest corridors around Otu, a community in the Oke-Ogun axis known for its vast rural and forested terrain.
Despite the sudden attack, the hunters reportedly managed to alert security operatives, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement authorities.
“The police received credible intelligence from local hunters who came under gunfire attack from suspected kidnappers during a hunting expedition in Otu,” the statement revealed.
The command noted that no casualty was recorded among the hunters during the initial ambush, allowing them to relay critical information that helped security agencies mobilise rapidly to the scene.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence received, a response team comprising police operatives, local hunters, and other security agencies was immediately mobilised to the scene at Otu,” the statement added.
Upon arrival, the combined security team reportedly encountered fierce resistance from the suspected kidnappers, who opened fire in an attempt to repel the advancing operatives.
The situation quickly escalated into a gun duel within the forest area as security personnel engaged the armed suspects in what authorities described as a coordinated tactical operation.
According to the police, the superior firepower and coordinated strategy employed by the security team eventually overwhelmed the suspects.
“Through superior tactical response and coordinated effort, the criminals were successfully overpowered, leading to the neutralisation of three suspected kidnappers,” the command stated.
During the operation, security operatives also succeeded in rescuing an abducted victim identified as 50-year-old Mosudi Gbolagade, who was allegedly kidnapped at Okaka before being held captive within the Otu forest area.
The police disclosed that the victim sustained gunshot injuries during the rescue operation and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for urgent treatment.
Authorities did not provide further details regarding the circumstances surrounding his abduction or the duration of his captivity.
The operation also led to the recovery of weapons and other items believed to have been used by the suspected kidnappers.
According to the police, items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle without ammunition, one single-barrel gun, and a machete.
Security officials believe the recovered weapons further confirm the growing sophistication and firepower of criminal groups operating within forested areas across parts of the country.
The command also confirmed that one of the local hunters who participated in the operation sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The injured hunter was said to be in stable condition while receiving care at a hospital.
Commending the bravery and cooperation displayed during the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State praised the efforts of the local hunters, police operatives, and other security stakeholders involved in the mission.
The police leadership noted that collaboration between conventional security agencies and local community-based security networks remains critical in combating kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes, especially in remote and forested communities.
The command further reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against criminal elements across the state.
“The Command therefore reiterates its unwavering commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against criminal elements across the state and urges residents to remain vigilant by providing credible and timely information to security agencies,” the statement added.
The latest operation comes amid growing security concerns in several parts of the country, where cases of kidnapping for ransom and attacks along rural routes have continued to pose serious threats to residents and travellers.
Security analysts have repeatedly stressed the importance of intelligence sharing, local collaboration, and rapid response mechanisms in tackling criminal networks operating within difficult terrains.
Residents in the Oke-Ogun axis have also continued to call for increased security presence and sustained surveillance operations to prevent criminal groups from exploiting forest areas as hideouts.
For many residents, the successful rescue operation represents a significant breakthrough and a reassurance that coordinated security efforts can yield positive results in the ongoing fight against kidnapping and violent crime in the state.
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2026-05-25