Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Police Command has recorded two major breakthroughs in its sustained fight against violent crime, neutralizing a robbery suspect in Iseyin while simultaneously dismantling a kidnapping syndicate and rescuing a farmer who had spent nearly a week in captivity. The operations, which unfolded in the early hours of Thursday and concluded days later, showcased the effectiveness of coordinated intelligence-led policing involving the police, the Amotekun Corps, Agbekoya operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters.
The chain of events began around 2 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026, along Saki Road in Iseyin town. Acting on credible intelligence about an ongoing attack at a residence that had previously been targeted in a February robbery, detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Oyo State Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, the officers arrived to find that approximately five armed men had invaded the home. However, before the police could engage, the resident security guard had already confronted the assailants.
In a fierce exchange of gunfire, the security guard managed to hold his ground, leading to the death of one of the robbers. Two other suspects were apprehended at the scene, while the remaining gang members fled with suspected gunshot wounds. The police recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun, one expended cartridge, one live cartridge, five mobile phones, two power banks, and a sum of cash believed to be proceeds of criminal activities.
The arrested suspects were identified as Ali Umar and Mohammed Usman. Following their arrest, other victims of armed robbery in the area came forward, and one of them positively identified the arrested suspects as the same gang that had attacked his residence on April 13, 2026. The case file, suspects, and exhibits have since been transferred to the Command Monitoring Unit for a discreet and comprehensive investigation. The corpse of the neutralized suspect has been deposited in a mortuary.
In a related but separate operation, the police also recorded a major success against kidnapping. A farmer, Quadri Oloriegbe, was abducted from Olopoto Village via Abugbudu in the Irawo area of Oyo State on April 29, 2026. Five armed men had stormed the community, firing sporadically into the air, before whisking him away to an unknown destination.
Following a distress report, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, ordered an intelligence-driven rescue and manhunt operation. The operation involved police tactical teams, Amotekun Corps personnel, Agbekoya operatives, vigilante groups, and local hunters. Extensive bush-combing operations, surveillance patrols, and raids on suspected criminal hideouts across the area were conducted. The sustained pressure led to the arrest of a key suspect, Umaru Bokolo, who was linked to the crime through intelligence and community identification.
Information obtained from Bokolo’s confession proved decisive. It provided crucial leads that allowed security operatives to locate the abducted farmer. The police confirmed that the sustained pressure and the arrest of Bokolo forced the kidnappers to release the victim. Oloriegbe regained his freedom on May 5, 2026. He was debriefed by investigators and taken to a medical facility for evaluation before being safely reunited with his family.
Following this success, further coordinated operations in Irawo town and surrounding areas led to the arrest of three additional suspects: Zada Abubakar, Husein Rabiu, and Abubakar Mohammed. All four suspects are currently undergoing further investigation and are expected to be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for possible prosecution.
Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga commended the bravery and collaboration of all security personnel and local security outfits involved in both operations. He reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained security operations aimed at protecting lives and property across the state. He also urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information.
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