The Nigeria Police Force in Oyo State has rescued four passengers who were abducted along the Igbeti–Kishi Road following a coordinated security operation involving multiple agencies.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the development in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, on Friday.
Olayinka said the incident occurred on Wednesday when armed hoodlums allegedly emerged from a nearby bush and blocked the road, intercepting a commercial bus travelling from Igbeti to Kishi.
According to him, the attackers forcibly took four passengers from the vehicle and led them into the surrounding forest.
“Some armed hoodlums emerged from a nearby bush and blocked the road, intercepting a commercial bus travelling from Igbeti to Kishi. During the attack, four passengers were forcibly taken into the surrounding forest by the assailants,” he said.
The police spokesperson explained that a joint security team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) and Operation Burst, alongside other local security stakeholders, immediately launched an intensive search of the surrounding forests.
He said the coordinated operation mounted pressure on the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee the area.
“The intense search operations mounted pressure on the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victims and escape,” Olayinka stated.
He added that the rescued passengers were found unharmed and have since been reunited with their families.
“The four passengers were rescued unhurt and have since been reunited with their families,” he said.
Olayinka further disclosed that security operatives have continued bush-combing and intelligence-driven operations to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
