Oyo Police nab suspected kidnappers, recover firearms

…Confirm kidnap of12-year-old female student of private secondary school

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and recovered firearms following intelligence-driven and coordinated security operations.

The command said that the move was a significant breakthrough in its sustained fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes by acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with other non-state security outfits

The operatives of the Command arrested one Aliu Umaru, male, aged 22 years, of Komu Village. The suspect had been on the Command’s wanted list in connection with a previously reported case of kidnapping involving Huseinat Abubakar, female, aged 25 years, of Gelede Camp via Komu.

The command said further investigation and interrogation of the suspect yielded positive results, as the suspect confessed to the crime and led operatives to the arrest of two other members of the kidnapping syndicate, namely Gure Wadi, male, aged 60 years, and Ibrahim Yobo, male, aged 35 years, both of Komu Village.

Consequently, a search conducted at the residence of one of the suspects led to the recovery of one single-barrel gun and one dane gun, both alleged to have been used in the commission of the kidnapping.

Read also: Three kidnappers arrested by Police in Adamawa

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, has directed that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that all fleeing members of the syndicate are arrested and diligently prosecuted in accordance with the law. He further commended the professionalism, courage, and operational effectiveness of the officers involved in the operation.

The Commissioner of Police also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his sustained leadership, strategic guidance, and unwavering support, which continue to enhance operational efficiency across the Command.

Additionally, the CP lauded the collaborative efforts of members of the public and the Command’s progressive partners, particularly non-state actors, whose timely information and cooperation contributed significantly to the success of the operation.

Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, after which all suspects will be charged to court accordingly. The Oyo State Police Command reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urges continued cooperation through the provision of credible and timely information.

Also, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed an incident of suspected kidnapping reported in the Challenge area of Ibadan in the early hours of Wednesday.

Preliminary information indicates that at about 7:20 a.m., a 12-year-old female student of a private secondary school in the area was allegedly abducted by unknown armed men at a junction leading to the school premises as she was alighting from a vehicle that conveyed her to school.

The incident was promptly reported to the Police, and detectives were immediately deployed to the scene for preliminary assessment and fact-finding. Eyewitnesses at the scene were identified and questioned, and their accounts are providing valuable leads to assist ongoing investigations.

The parents of the victim have been contacted and are in close contact with the Police as efforts continue to ensure the safe rescue of the child.

The Commissioner of Police has directed a comprehensive and intelligence-driven investigation, assuring that all possibilities and options are being explored to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

The Command urged members of the public to remain calm and to support the Police with any useful information, assuring that such information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

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