Oyo Police Rescue Abducted Children, Release Photo

• Oyo police operatives went into action after children were abducted in the Ibarapa axis of the Southwest state
• Collaboration between security agencies successfully led to the identification of the kidnappers' hideout in a forested area
• The operation reportedly received strong support from local vigilante groups and Tunji Disu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)

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Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over nine years of experience covering security matters in Nigeria and Africa.

Ibadan, Oyo state - The Oyo Police Command on Monday afternoon, June 29, revealed that it recorded a major operational success.

As reported by The Punch, the command announced that it had rescued two abducted children and arrested four suspected kidnappers.

The development was disclosed in a statement by the command's spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, titled, 'Oyo Police Rescue Abducted Children, Arrest Four Kidnap Suspects'.

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Legit.ng gathered that the victims were kidnapped on Friday, June 27, 2026, in Ebinpejo village, via Lanlate in the Ibarapa East Local Government Area (LGA).

Oyo police arrest kidnap suspects

The police said that through the collaborative efforts of security agencies and “credible intelligence,” they successfully traced the abductors' hideout deep within the forest.

Amid an exchange of gunfire, the captors reportedly fled, with at least one suspected criminal sustaining gunshot wounds. The suspect, 25-year-old Umaru Usman, was subsequently arrested, The Nation noted.

Follow-up operations led to the arrest of at least three more suspects.

The police’s statement partly read:

“The two abducted children were rescued safely and promptly taken for medical attention.

"One of the victims sustained injuries during the ordeal but received treatment before both children were successfully reunited with their family.”

Police send message to Amotekun, others

Furthermore, the command acknowledged the “invaluable support” of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters, and members of the public whose cooperation, it said, contributed significantly to the operation's success.

The statement added:

“The Oyo State Police Command also expresses profound appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, for his exemplary leadership, strategic guidance, and continued support, which have strengthened policing operations across the country.”

The photo of the four suspects arrested by the police can be viewed below:

Read more Oyo state news:

• Alaafin Owoade plans to rebuild 200-year-old Oyo palace, gives reason
• Former Oyo governor's eldest child, Bisola Ajimobi, dies at 42
• NDLEA arrests Mexican, 4 others, dismantles industrial-scale Meth laboratory in Oyo forest
• Sunday Igboho spits fire, threatens deadly action against kidnappers in fresh video
• Tension as University of Ibadan student is abducted

Police deny Kaduna airlift claim

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Oyo police refuted a viral social media video claiming that students and teachers abducted from Oriire LGA were flown to Kaduna state in a helicopter.

The video alleged that the victims, who were kidnapped from the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities, had been transported out of Oyo state by air.

Reacting to the claim, Ayanlade described the video as false, misleading, and lacking any factual basis.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.