The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of a 42-year-old farmer, Alhaji Quadri Oloriegbẹ, who was abducted by armed men in the Irawọ area of the state.
According to the Command, the victim was kidnapped on April 29, 2026, at Olopoto Village via Abugbudu when five gunmen reportedly stormed the community, shooting sporadically to create panic before whisking him away to an unknown destination.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately ordered a coordinated rescue operation involving police tactical teams, Agbẹkọya operatives, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes, and local hunters.
The statement said security operatives intensified bush-combing operations, surveillance, and patrols across suspected criminal hideouts and adjoining forests in the affected area.
“Following sustained operational pressure and collaborative efforts, one suspect identified as Umaru Bokolo was apprehended based on credible intelligence and community identification,” the statement noted.
Police added that information obtained from the suspect further strengthened ongoing investigations and guided subsequent operations.
The Command disclosed that the victim eventually regained freedom on May 5, 2026, after days in captivity.
“Upon his release, the victim was immediately debriefed to aid ongoing investigations and subsequently taken to a medical facility for proper evaluation before reuniting safely with his family hale and hearty,” the statement added.
The police also confirmed the arrest of three additional suspects during continuous operations in Irawọ Town and surrounding communities. The suspects were identified as Zada Abubakar, 20; Husein Rabiu, 25; and Abubakar Mohammed, 30.
According to the Command, the suspects are currently undergoing further investigation and would later be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for possible prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police commended the efforts of security agencies and local security outfits involved in the operation, describing their collaboration as instrumental to the successful rescue mission.
Olugbenga also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for supporting security operations aimed at tackling violent crimes across the country.
He reassured residents of the state of the Command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other criminal activities, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
