The Oyo State Police Command has neutralized three suspected kidnappers and successfully rescued an abducted victim during a high-stakes joint security operation in Otu, located in the Oke-Ogun axis of the state.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the breakthrough was achieved through a collaborative effort involving police operatives, local hunters, and other security agencies, highlighting ongoing strategies to aggressively combat violent crime in the region.
The operation was triggered by a distress call received on Monday, May 25, 2026, after local hunters on an expedition in Otu unexpectedly came under gunfire.
Although no casualties were recorded during that initial ambush, security forces and local collaborators rapidly mobilized and deployed to the scene.
Upon arrival, the joint team was met with heavy gunfire from the suspected kidnappers, triggering a fierce gun duel in the forest.
The decisive intervention led to the rescue of 50-year-old Mr. Mosudi Gbolagade, who had been previously abducted in Okaka and held captive within the Otu axis.
While Mr. Gbolagade was safely freed, he sustained gunshot injuries during the crossfire and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
One local hunter also sustained injuries during the gun battle and is currently receiving medical attention. Security forces recovered an AK-47 rifle, a single-barrel gun, and a machete from the scene.
Lauding the outcome, the Commissioner of Police for Oyo State praised the exceptional gallantry and synergy displayed by both the official operatives and the local security collaborators.
Reiterating the command’s unyielding commitment to flushing out criminal elements across Oyo State, the CP urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely, credible intelligence to law enforcement agencies.
