• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the rescue of four passengers who were reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen along the Igbeti-Kishi Road in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State. The victims were freed following what the police described as a swift and coordinated security operation involving multiple agencies that combed forests in the area and forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives. Naija News reports that the development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ayanlade Olayinka. According to the police, the abduction occurred in the early hours of March 5, 2026, when armed hoodlums reportedly emerged from a nearby bush and blocked the highway. The attackers reportedly intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling from Igbeti towards Kishi and forcefully dragged four passengers into the surrounding forest. The police said, "Preliminary reports revealed that armed hoodlums emerged from a nearby bush and blocked the road, intercepting a commercial bus travelling from Igbeti towards Kishi. During the incident, four passengers were forcefully taken into the surrounding bush by the assailants." Following the report of the attack, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, immediately ordered a rescue operation. According to the statement, Haruna directed the Divisional Police Officers in Igbeti and Kishi divisions, alongside tactical units, to deploy all available operational resources to secure the safe release of the victims. "Immediately the report was received, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, directed the Divisional Police Officers of Igbeti and Kishi Divisions, in conjunction with relevant tactical teams, to mobilise all necessary operational resources to ensure the victims were rescued unhurt," the police spokesman said. The statement added that a combined security team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps), members of Operation Burst, and other local security stakeholders quickly moved to the area. The team subsequently launched an intensive bush-combing operation across the surrounding forests in search of the abductors and their victims. According to the police, the sustained operation lasted several hours and placed intense pressure on the kidnappers. "The sustained bush combing operation, which lasted for several hours, mounted significant pressure on the criminals, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee the scene," the statement noted. The command confirmed that the four victims were successfully rescued without any injuries. Consequently, the victims have since been reunited with their families. The Commissioner of Police commended members of the joint security team for their bravery, professionalism and swift response to the incident. Haruna emphasised that cooperation and synergy among security agencies remain critical to protecting lives and property across the state. The police command also expressed appreciation to the government of Governor Seyi Makinde for its prompt support and mobilisation of resources to aid security operations across the state. In addition, the CP acknowledged the leadership and strategic direction provided by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in the nationwide fight against crime. Meanwhile, the police disclosed that operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects. According to the command, security operatives have continued intensive bush-combing and intelligence-driven operations aimed at tracking down the criminals and bringing them to justice. The command urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat crime. For emergencies, members of the public were advised to contact the Oyo State Police Call Response Centre toll-free line: 615, or the command control room numbers 08081768614 and 07055495413. Source: https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/06/oyo-four-victims-rescued-as-security-operatives-foil-abduction-on-igbeti-kishi-road/