The Osun State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped victim unhurt, recovered N2,217,800 suspected to be ransom proceeds and arrested one suspected kidnapper during a coordinated operation by its tactical team.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo.
According to the police commissioner, the victim, Haruna Yusuf, a 50-year-old Fulani herdsman residing in a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan-Ife-Ibadan Road, was abducted by four suspected kidnappers on July 9, 2026.
He said following the report, police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, immediately mobilised to the area and combed the surrounding forests and adjoining routes in search of the victim.
The case was later transferred to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Anti-Kidnapping Section, for discreet investigation and tactical intervention.
The commissioner said an intelligence-driven operation carried out on July 12 during the monitoring of the ransom payment process at a designated drop-off point in the Majeroku area along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway led to the successful rescue of the victim.
He explained that the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the operatives, prompting the police to respond, resulting in a gun duel during which some of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries.
Gotan said one of the suspects, Usman Aliyu, 40, was arrested, while others escaped.
The injured suspect was taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for medical treatment and is responding to treatment.
He added that N2,217,800 suspected to be proceeds of ransom was recovered at the scene, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the kidnapping gang allegedly terrorising the area.
The police commissioner also disclosed that the Command arrested three suspected cultists and ritualists in Iree following credible intelligence and surveillance by operatives of the VCRU.
The suspects were identified as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23.
According to him, preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects are members of a cult group and are also being investigated for alleged involvement in ritual-related activities.
Items recovered from them include a small coffin and local charms and soaps.
Gotan said he had directed a thorough investigation to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other members of the criminal network.
He further revealed that the Command arrested another suspected kidnapper, Buhari Mutari, in the Seyin area of Oyo State following technical analysis and actionable intelligence linked to a foiled kidnap attempt at Ijebu-Jesa on May 7, 2026.
The commissioner also said eight other suspects were arrested during raids on black spots across the state for offences ranging from stealing and unlawful possession of substance suspected to be Indian hemp to hooliganism.
He said all the suspects would be arraigned in court after the completion of investigations.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, cultism, ritual killings, armed robbery and other violent crimes, Gotan urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to enhance security across the state.