Many terrible things may indeed be happening in Oyo State, the latest being right inside Ibarapa forest, unveiled through diligent security surveillance.
Intelligence-led operations carried out by the Oyo State Police Command, in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups and hunters, have led to the rescue of two abducted children, arrest of four suspected kidnappers and recovery of a cache of sophisticated firearms.
The suspects are believed linked to an armed robbery syndicate and other crimes that have rocked the area in the recent.
In a statement issued today by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on behalf of the Command, the team embarked on a rescue operation following a distress call received last Friday.
It was to the effect that armed hoodlums had invaded Ebinpejo Village, via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, where they attacked residents, ransacked homes and abducted two children.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise operatives and collaborate with other security agencies and community-based security outfits to launch a coordinated search operation.
Acting on credible intelligence and technical support, the joint security team was able to trace the kidnappers’ hideout right inside a forest.
“Upon sighting the advancing security team, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel”, the police reported in the statement, adding:
“The operatives responded professionally, overpowering the criminals and forcing them to flee in different directions,” the statement said.
During the operation, one of the suspects, Umaru Usman, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape and was arrested. Three mobile phones were recovered from the scene.
The police said a follow-up operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, who was also found with gunshot wounds allegedly sustained during the exchange of fire with security operatives.
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