Suspected kidnapper arrested while collecting N10m ransom in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper at the point of collecting N10m ransom demanded from the family of a victim in Otefon Village, Atiba Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, identified as 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.

Confirming the arrest on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said credible intelligence from operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Oyo State, led to the operation that foiled the ransom collection.

He said 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.

“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, according to him, revealed that about six armed men invaded the residence of Alhaji Bagudu on May 9, 2026, abducted him, and whisked him into the forest, where they demanded N10m ransom.

He explained that the operatives adopted a tactical approach that prioritised the safe release of the victim before moving in on the suspects.

“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.

Ayanlade added that on sighting security operatives, the suspects opened fire, leading to a gun duel, during which one of the suspects, Mohammed Sanni, was arrested while others fled into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.

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.

He said the suspect in custody had made useful confessional statements, adding that efforts were ongoing to track and arrest fleeing members of the gang.

The command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations and improve public safety.(Punch)