Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three men suspected of abducting a local farmer and holding her captive for 18 days before her eventual release. The suspects, Musa Ajibola, 29; Hassan Mohammadu, 63; and Umaru Hassan, 19, were apprehended on April 21, 2026, at Latayo Farm Settlement in Ile‑Ido, following a tip‑off from the public. State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the breakthrough in a statement in Ibadan on April 23. He identified the victim as Marian Remi, who was seized from her farm on April 3 and regained her freedom on April 21 thanks to coordinated police action.
According to the police spokesperson, Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga ordered a swift operation after receiving credible intelligence. A team moved to the farm settlement and arrested the three suspects, all of whom have since allegedly confessed to their roles in the abduction. “In the course of investigation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime, thereby providing further insight into the criminal operation,” Ayanlade said. Efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices, he added. The police have also issued a reassurance to residents that public safety remains a top priority and that intelligence‑led operations will continue to be the mainstay of crime‑fighting in the state.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a case that had become a source of dread for farming communities in the area. The victim, Marian Remi, is said to have been held for nearly three weeks before her release on Tuesday, April 21. The police have not disclosed whether a ransom was paid or the exact circumstances of her release. However, Ayanlade stressed that the operation was made possible by the “invaluable cooperation” of citizens who came forward with timely information. He urged members of the public to deepen their trust in the police and sustain the partnership through continuous intelligence sharing. “Collective vigilance and cooperation remain key to building a safer and more secure society for all,” he said.
Wider security push in Oyo State
The arrest of the three suspects is part of a broader crackdown on criminal gangs in Oyo State. The police have also been intensifying patrols and intelligence gathering along notorious kidnapping hotspots, including the Mamu–Ijebu Ode Road and the old Kara area of Bodija in Ibadan North Local Government Area. Just last week, two persons were injured when police foiled a kidnap attempt at Onigambari, along the busy road linking Oyo with Ogun State. Ayanlade said the quick reaction of officers prevented the armed assailants from carrying out their planned abduction.
These successes have been attributed to a new operational directive from the Inspector‑General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who has been pushing a reform agenda focused on intelligence‑driven policing and enhanced inter‑agency cooperation. The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, has repeatedly pledged to rid the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes, and has singled out community collaboration as the linchpin of his approach. The arrests at Latayo Farm Settlement are being hailed as a testament to that strategy.
The arrests have been welcomed by community leaders in Ile‑Ido, who have long complained of the insecurity plaguing their farm settlements. In recent months, dozens of farmers have abandoned their fields for fear of being kidnapped, leading to reduced harvests and rising food prices in some parts of the state. The police command has said it will continue to deploy resources to rural areas and maintain intelligence networks to disrupt criminal networks. “The safety of lives and property remains our top priority,” Ayanlade reiterated.
The three suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged in court once investigations are concluded. The police have advised residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements through the state’s emergency lines or by contacting their local police division.
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