Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected kidnapper, identified as Muhammadu Abubakar, in Ikoyi-Ile, Oriire Local Government Area, following a successful intelligence-led operation that also resulted in the recovery of a high-powered firearm and live ammunition. The development underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to tackle kidnapping and violent crime in the South-West region of the country.
According to a statement released by the police, information was received by the command that three armed men were seen moving through forests and farmland around the Ikoyi-Ile community carrying what appeared to be an AK-47 rifle and other weapons. Promptly acting on this tip-off from a vigilant member of the public, a combined team of police operatives under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer of the Ikoyi-Ile Division mobilised to the area and conducted an extensive search of the surrounding bush.
During the search operation, the officers succeeded in arresting Abubakar, from whom they recovered an AK-47 rifle bearing the breach number 6628/2274, along with six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and an additional three live cartridges. The recovered firearm and ammunition are now being examined as part of the ongoing investigation as security authorities seek to establish how the weapons were acquired and whether they were intended for use in criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery or terror-related attacks.
Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade confirmed that the suspect has confessed to involvement in a series of kidnapping incidents along the Ogbomoso–Ikoyi-Ile axis, an area that has experienced bouts of criminal activity in recent times. According to the statement, Abubakar has been cooperating with investigators at the Oyo State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ibadan, where he was transferred for thorough and discreet interrogation. Investigators have launched a manhunt for the other members of the suspected gang, whom security officials believe remain at large.
Authorities highlighted that the operation’s success demonstrates the vital role that community cooperation and timely intelligence sharing play in the fight against organised crime. The police leadership praised the officers involved for their professionalism and quick response, noting that intelligence-driven patrols and community reports are central to pre-empting serious criminal acts before they occur.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and dismantling criminal syndicates operating within the state. The commissioner emphasised that ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes would be sustained, particularly through stronger community engagement and improved intelligence-gathering mechanisms.
Kidnapping remains a significant security challenge in parts of Nigeria, and while it is often more prevalent in the North-Central and North-West regions, states in the South-West, including Oyo, have reported episodes of abductions and armed criminality, particularly along rural corridors and forested areas. Previous operations by the police in the state have seen the rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of kidnappers, and the recovery of weapons, achieved through collaborative efforts with local vigilante groups and the deployment of intelligence teams. These actions illustrate a broader trend of Nigerian police forces stepping up operations against armed criminal networks.
Residents of Oyo State have welcomed the arrest, with community leaders and neighbourhood watch groups urging sustained efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal outfits and prevent incidents of kidnappings that have unnerved local communities. Many observers note that continuous public vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement remain crucial in enhancing community safety and deterring criminal elements from operating with impunity.
The police command has urged citizens to continue providing reliable and timely information through official channels to support ongoing security operations. It reiterated that community partnerships, combined with targeted intelligence-led interventions, are essential components in the wider strategy to reduce kidnapping, armed robbery, and related crimes across the state.
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