The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped woman and her 11-year-old twin sons, neutralised two suspected kidnappers, arrested four other members of the criminal syndicate, and recovered firearms, ammunition, operational vehicles and other exhibits used in the crime.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the operation was carried out through a coordinated effort between operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), the Oyo State Police Command and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to Olayinka, the operation followed the abduction of Mrs Adegoke Olaide Busayo, 42, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, on June 3, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m. The victims were reportedly kidnapped by four armed men driving an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota vehicle along Elewura Street, off Ring Road, Ibadan, while the mother was taking her children to school.
He said that following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, acting on the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, ordered an immediate intelligence-led manhunt for the perpetrators.
“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the FID-IRT, working in synergy with the Oyo State Police Command and other tactical teams, commenced a comprehensive rescue and tracking operation,” Olayinka said.
The police spokesperson disclosed that intelligence gathered from the crime scene led to the arrest of one Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” who was already on the Command’s watchlist for related criminal activities.
According to him, further interrogation and intelligence exploitation resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Dare Oyedele, also known as “Solution,” identified as a key member of the kidnapping gang.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had attempted to recruit an insider within the victim’s household in May 2026 through a staff member identified simply as Segun. The plan was reportedly part of a surveillance operation during which the suspects monitored the family’s movements, routines and the schools attended by the children.
Police investigators also uncovered digital evidence showing photographs of the victim’s vehicles, school environment, daily routines and lifestyle patterns, which were allegedly used to profile and track the family before the abduction.
The intelligence breakthrough enabled operatives to identify the gang’s hideout at the Lado community in Ayegun, Ibadan.
Olayinka said that on June 6, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., operatives stormed the hideout in a coordinated tactical operation aimed at rescuing the victims.
He explained that one of the gang members, identified as “Kelechi,” who allegedly travelled from Lagos State and served as a lookout for the gang, opened fire on the advancing operatives.
“The operatives responded with superior tactical precision, resulting in the neutralisation of Kelechi and another unidentified member of the gang,” he said.
Following the operation, Mrs. Busayo and her twin sons were rescued unharmed and placed in protective custody before being reunited with their family.
The police spokesperson added that Wale Abolalewa and Dare Oyedele were subsequently taken into custody and are assisting investigators in efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
Two additional suspects identified as facilitators of the criminal hideout, Semiu Ishola, 39, and Adeyemi Ayobami, 35, were also arrested and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations.
Items recovered from the suspects include three pump-action rifles, the unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used in the abduction, 14 live cartridges, criminal charms, a battle axe, a hammer, substances suspected to be hard drugs and two face masks.
The Command said investigations are continuing, with efforts intensified to track down other gang members believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds sustained during the encounter.
The police appealed to members of the public, medical practitioners, private hospitals, traditional bone setters and other healthcare providers to report anyone presenting suspicious gunshot injuries or unusual medical cases to the nearest police station or security agency.
Olayinka also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, strange persons and security concerns within their communities, stressing that credible information remains critical to crime prevention and effective law enforcement.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Oyo State and assured residents that all criminal elements would be pursued and brought to justice. #Securitynewsalert.com
