Oyo State Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Intensify Hunt for Suspects

…As Suspected kidnappers flee under pressure from security operatives

The Oyo State Police Command has successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued a victim following a swift response by its operatives.

This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka. While narrating the incident, he said the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday January 24, 2026, at about 2:10 a.m., when the police received a distress call from a resident of Ojongbodu area in Oyo State, identified as Alimot, reporting that suspected kidnappers had invaded her brother’s residence.

According to police sources, the assailants, who were armed with dangerous weapons, abducted one Haruna Lawal of Olorunda Village via Oyo and fled the scene with his motorcycle to an unknown destination.

Upon receiving the report, operatives of the Oyo State Police Command, acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, immediately mobilised to the area.

The police launched an aggressive bush-combing operation, deploying patrol vehicles with sirens to mount pressure on the suspects.

The swift response reportedly forced the kidnappers to abandon their victim while fleeing the area upon realising that security operatives were closing in on them.

Haruna Lawal was rescued alive but sustained a head injury during the ordeal.

He was promptly taken to the General Hospital, Oyo, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

Oyo State Police described the rescue, which was carried out within hours of the abduction, as a reflection of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Meanwhile, efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The Command reassured residents of its determination to rid the state of criminal elements and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid security operations.