Two persons abducted by suspected kidnappers in Oorelope Local Council of Oyo State have been rescued by the state police command, and a suspect neutralised during a joint security operation.
The command said the operation followed the abduction of three men at Gaa Alhaji, Gbonkan, via Ipapo, on June 29, 2026. According to the spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the gunmen invaded the settlement at about 8:30 p.m., firing sporadically before abducting Usman Abubakar, Aliu Usman and Saliu Abubakar.
He disclosed that following that, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ipapo to coordinate a joint rescue operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and local hunters.
Ayanlade said that after examining the crime scene, the joint security team combed the nearby forests and adjoining communities, which eventually led them to the kidnappers’ hideout.
According to him, a gun battle ensued between the kidnappers and the security operatives, during which a suspected kidnapper was neutralised, while others escaped into the forest.
Also, a member of the VGN sustained injuries during the operation and is receiving medical treatment, Ayanlade said, adding that two of the abductees were eventually rescued after a sustained offensive, with both currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wound.
According to him, the third victim became separated from the others after reportedly fleeing in a different direction during the gun battle, but “is believed to be safe, while intensive search is ongoing to locate and reunite him with his family.”
Meanwhile, the command stated that security operatives have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure their arrest and prosecution.
Commending all the personnel involved in the operation, the Police Commissioner, Olugbenga, described the collaboration between the police and the others as instrumental to the success of the rescue operation. He further assured that the operation would continue until the remaining victim is found and all members of the criminal gang apprehended, while appealing to residents of Ipapo, Gbonkan and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and feed the police with credible information.
