Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of a 38-year-old man, Nathaniel Peter, who was abducted from his home in Layeri Village, via Ikoyi-Ile, in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, as the command intensified efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend other members of the gang.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the incident was reported on September 24, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m. by a resident of the community, who informed the police that armed men had invaded a family compound in the area earlier that day at about 4:20 a.m. Preliminary findings revealed that three armed men forcibly gained entry into Peter's room and abducted him from the premises. The assailants subsequently escaped through the National Reserve Forest after reportedly carting away a Hajue motorcycle and the victim's mobile phone.
Upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately commenced action and proceeded to the scene for preliminary assessment and investigation. In continuation of the investigation and efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction, operatives arrested two suspects, identified as Muhammadu Abubakar, an adult male, and Jayun Danali, a 17-year-old male, who are currently assisting the police with information relevant to the investigation. The police said the arrest had provided useful investigative leads towards identifying and apprehending other persons connected with the incident.
The PPRO stressed that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intensified coordinated operations aimed at securing the safe rescue of the victim and apprehending other fleeing members of the criminal gang. The command reassured members of the public, particularly residents of the affected communities, of its commitment to their safety and security, and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly share credible information with the police as it continues efforts to resolve the incident and maintain peace and security across the state. The command also urged residents to report emergencies through the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free line at 615 or by contacting the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413.
The incident is the latest in a series of kidnapping cases that the Oyo State Police Command has recorded in recent months, particularly in the Oke-Ogun axis, which includes Oriire, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo and Irepo local government areas. In June 2026, Governor Seyi Makinde declared a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas following a surge in kidnapping, and the state subsequently acquired surveillance aircraft to strengthen aerial reconnaissance and intelligence gathering in high-risk areas. The command has also recorded significant successes in its broader campaign against kidnapping, including the arrest of 25 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cult members, and the rescue of five victims after raiding criminal hideouts along the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway in September.
For the family of Nathaniel Peter, the arrest of two suspects represents a measure of progress, but the primary concern remains the safe return of the victim. The police have said efforts are ongoing to rescue him and apprehend the fleeing members of the gang. The suspects in custody are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. As the investigation continues, the command has urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity, stressing that community cooperation remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
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