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The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper at the point of collecting a 10 million naira ransom demanded from the family of a victim abducted in the Atiba Local Government Area, the police said on Thursday.
The victim, Alhaji Bagudu, was reportedly abducted from his residence in Ilowa Village last week and taken to Otefon forest, where his abductors held him hostage while demanding ransom for his release.
Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said credible intelligence from operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria led to the operation that foiled the ransom collection.
On Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m., information indicated that members of a kidnapping gang had gathered in Otefon forest to receive ransom from relatives of the abducted victim, Ayanlade said.
“Upon receipt of the intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, immediately directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (Oyo/Iseyin area), in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, to move into the area for a rescue and arrest operation,” Ayanlade said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that about six armed men invaded Bagudu’s residence on May 9, 2026, abducted him, and whisked him into the forest, where they demanded 10 million naira ransom.
The operatives adopted a tactical approach that prioritised the safe release of the victim before moving in on the suspects, Ayanlade said.
“Upon confirmation that the victim had regained his freedom unharmed, operatives advanced towards the location where the suspected kidnappers had assembled to receive the ransom,” he said.
On sighting security operatives, the suspects opened fire, leading to a gun duel, during which one suspect, Mohammed Sanni, was arrested while others fled into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries, according to Ayanlade.
Items recovered from the scene include a motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY, a mobile phone, a pair of slippers, and a cap, all of which are undergoing forensic analysis.
The suspect in custody has made useful confessional statements, and efforts are ongoing to track and arrest fleeing members of the gang, Ayanlade said.
The command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations and improve public safety.
