A suspected member of a kidnapping gang was arrested in Oyo State while attempting to collect a N10 million ransom demanded for the release of a victim abducted from Atiba Local Government Area.
The victim, identified as Alhaji Bagudu, was kidnapped from his residence in Ilowa village on May 9, 2026, before being taken into the Otefon forest, where his captors reportedly held him while negotiating ransom payments with his family.
The Oyo State Police Command said the arrest followed credible intelligence received in the early hours of Wednesday, May 13, through operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Oyo, indicating that suspected kidnappers had assembled in Otefon Village Forest to receive the ransom.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, immediately directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad operating within the Oyo/Iseyin axis to work with local vigilantes in a coordinated rescue and enforcement operation.
Police said preliminary investigations showed that the gang consisted of about six armed men who invaded the victim’s home, abducted him, and later demanded N10 million for his release.
Security operatives reportedly prioritised securing the safe release of the victim before moving in on the suspects. Authorities confirmed that Alhaji Bagudu regained his freedom unharmed before tactical operations were launched against the gang members.
Using intelligence gathering and technological surveillance, the joint security team identified the exact location where the kidnappers had gathered and laid an ambush ahead of the ransom collection.
The police said that after the arrival of the individual conveying the ransom and confirmation that the victim had been released safely, operatives advanced toward the scene to apprehend the suspects.
However, the suspected kidnappers reportedly opened fire on the approaching security personnel, leading to a gun battle inside the forest area.
During the exchange, several suspects escaped into the adjoining forest with what police described as varying degrees of suspected gunshot injuries, while one suspect identified as Mohammed Sanni was arrested at the scene.
Investigators also recovered a Hajoue motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY, which police believe was used by the gang for logistics and operational movement.
Other items recovered from the scene included a small mobile phone, a pair of slippers, and a cap, all of which are currently undergoing forensic examination.
The police said the arrested suspect is in custody and has already made confessional statements regarding his role within the kidnapping syndicate, while efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
The command appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations or lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects.
