THE Osun State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped victim unharmed, recovered N2,217,800 suspected to be ransom proceeds, and arrested a suspected kidnapper during a tactical operation aimed at tackling violent crime across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he outlined recent achievements of the Command in its fight against kidnapping, cultism, ritual-related crimes, and other criminal activities.
According to the police commissioner, “the victim, Haruna Yusuf, a 50-year-old Fulani herdsman, was abducted on 9 July 2026 from a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan-Ife-Ibadan Road by four suspected kidnappers.”
He said police operatives, working alongside local vigilantes, immediately launched a search operation, combing nearby forests and surrounding routes before transferring the case to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, for tactical investigation.
Gotan explained that on July 12, operatives carried out an intelligence-led operation while closely monitoring the ransom payment process at Majeroku along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway.
“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 commissioner added that the injured suspect, identified as Usman Aliyu, 40 years, was taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for treatment and was responding to medical care, while officers recovered N2,217,800 believed to be ransom proceeds.
He noted that efforts were continuing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
Other arrests
The police commissioner also announced the arrest of three suspected cultists and ritual suspects in Iree following intelligence reports that criminal groups had been terrorising the community and neighbouring areas.
He identified the suspects as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23, adding that preliminary investigations indicated they were members of a cult group and were also being investigated for alleged involvement in ritual-related activities.
According to Gotan, exhibits recovered from the suspects included a small coffin, locally made charms, and soaps. He said he had directed investigators to conduct a thorough and discreet investigation to determine the extent of their involvement and identify other members of the alleged criminal network.
The commissioner further revealed that police had arrested another suspected kidnapper, Buhari Mutari, in the Seyin area of Oyo State following technical analysis and actionable intelligence linked to a failed kidnap attempt at Ijebu-Jesa on May 7, 2026.
He recalled that the principal suspect, Umaru Adamu, had earlier been arrested and paraded on May 29.
Gotan also disclosed that eight additional suspects were arrested during raids on identified black spots across Osun State for offences including stealing, unlawful possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and hooliganism.
“All the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations. The Command remained committed to combating kidnapping, cultism, ritual killings, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state,” he said.
Call for public support
The commissioner urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and community leaders to remain vigilant and support the police with credible and timely information.
He also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities through the nearest police formation or the Command’s emergency lines, while commending the professionalism of officers involved in the operations.
