OSUN POLICE RESCUE KIDNAP VICTIM, RECOVER N2.2M RANSOM, ARREST SUSPECT AFTER GUN DUEL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Osun State Police Command has rescued a 50-year-old kidnapped herder, recovered ₦2.22 million suspected ransom proceeds and arrested a suspected kidnapper following a gun battle with abductors during a rescue operation.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing made available by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.
Gotan said the victim, Haruna Yusuf, was rescued unhurt during an intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
According to the police commissioner, Yusuf, a Fulani herdsman residing in a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan-Ife-Ibadan Road, was abducted on July 9 by four suspected kidnappers.
“On 9th July 2026, the Command received information that one Haruna Yusuf, a 50-year-old Fulani herdsman residing in a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village, along Gbongan-Ife-Ibadan Road had been abducted by four suspected kidnappers,” Gotan said.
He explained that police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, immediately launched a search operation before the case was transferred to the anti-kidnapping section of the VCRU for tactical investigation.
Gotan said detectives closely monitored the ransom payment process before launching a coordinated operation at the designated drop-off point in the Majeroku area along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway on July 12.
“The team successfully rescued the victim unhurt. The kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire and the police equally responded professionally, leading to a gun duel during which some of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries, one was arrested, while others fled,” he said.
The arrested suspect, identified as 40-year-old Usman Aliyu, who sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire, was taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The police commissioner added that officers recovered ₦2,217,800, suspected to be ransom proceeds, at the scene.
“The sum of Two million, two hundred and seventeen thousand, eight hundred naira (₦2,217,800) was recovered at the scene as proceeds of ransom. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the kidnapping gang who have been terrorising that environment,” he said.
In a separate operation, Gotan announced the arrest of three suspected cultists and ritualists in Iree following intelligence reports linking criminal gangs to attacks on residents.
The suspects were identified as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23.
According to the commissioner, a small coffin and local charms were recovered from the suspects.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of a cult group and are also being investigated for alleged involvement in ritual-related activities,” he said.
He said he had directed investigators to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other members of the criminal network.
Gotan also disclosed that another suspected kidnapper, Buhari Mutari, was arrested in the Seyi area of Oyo State in connection with an attempted abduction at Ijebu-Jesa on May 7.
He explained that Mutari’s arrest followed the earlier apprehension of the principal suspect, Umaru Adamu, who was arrested during the failed kidnapping operation and paraded by the command on May 19.
The commissioner further revealed that eight other suspects were arrested during raids on criminal hideouts across the state for offences including stealing, unlawful possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and hooliganism.
He said all the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve to combat violent crime, Gotan assured residents that the police would sustain efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
“The Command wishes to reassure residents of Osun State that it remains resolute in its determination to combat cultism, ritual killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and all forms of violent crimes. Individuals or groups who engage in criminal activities will find no hiding place in the state,” he said.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, describing public cooperation as vital to protecting lives and property and sustaining the fight against crime.
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