Oyo Police Rescue 15-Year-Old Kidnap Victim, Kill Suspected Kidnapper in Gun Battle

Oyo Police Rescue 15-Year-Old Kidnap Victim, Neutralise Suspected Kidnapper; Manhunt Underway for Fleeing Suspects

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a 15-year-old boy who was kidnapped in the state and neutralised a suspected member of the gang during a coordinated security operation along the Awe-Iwo Road axis.

The operation, which was carried out by operatives of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Section (AKS) in collaboration with the Oyo Zone Vigilante Group of Nigeria, followed credible intelligence received by the Command regarding the abduction of the teenager and a ransom demand allegedly made by his abductors.

According to the Police, the intelligence was received on October 22, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m. The information indicated that suspected kidnappers were demanding ransom for the release of the victim, who had reportedly been abducted from the Onidundun area of Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State on October 18.

Following receipt of the intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section to immediately commence efforts to locate the suspects and rescue the victim.

The Police said the operation was carried out with support from members of the Oyo Zone Vigilante Group of Nigeria as security personnel moved towards the suspected location of the kidnappers.

The operatives subsequently mobilised to the Pipeline and Ajagba axis along the Awe-Iwo Road, where they advanced towards the location believed to be occupied by the suspected kidnappers.

At about 9:30 p.m., the operation reportedly resulted in a gun duel after the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the advancing security team.

The Police said the operatives responded to the attack and successfully rescued the kidnapped teenager during the encounter.

The victim was identified as Sumaila Muhammadu, a 15-year-old male.

However, one yet-to-be-identified suspected kidnapper was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while other members of the gang reportedly fled the scene in different directions.

According to the Command, some of the fleeing suspects may have sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation.

Following the operation, the neutralised suspect was taken to a hospital, where a medical doctor reportedly confirmed him dead. His remains were subsequently deposited at the morgue.

The Police also recovered an Android mobile phone and a cutlass from the scene. The items have been taken into custody and are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into the kidnapping incident.

The Command has now intensified efforts to locate the fleeing members of the suspected kidnapping gang.

As part of the manhunt, the Police have called on residents living around the Awe-Iwo Road axis and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report anyone who may be displaying suspicious gunshot injuries.

The Command said such information could prove crucial in tracking down the fleeing suspects, particularly because some of them may have sustained injuries during the gun battle.

The Police also appealed to medical practitioners, hospital administrators and other healthcare workers to immediately alert security authorities if anyone suspected of being connected to the incident seeks medical attention for gunshot wounds.

According to the Command, reports can be made through the nearest police station or through its established communication channels.

The Police assured members of the public that credible information provided to security authorities would assist the ongoing investigation and efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.

The latest operation forms part of the Oyo State Police Command’s broader efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security stakeholders.

The Command maintained that the successful rescue of the teenage victim demonstrated the importance of timely intelligence and coordinated security operations in responding to kidnapping incidents.

The Police also reiterated their commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, particularly in areas affected by criminal activities.

Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga assured residents that the Command would continue to sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at identifying and dismantling criminal networks operating within the state.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation between security agencies and members of the public in the fight against kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.

The Commissioner urged residents to continue providing the Police with timely and credible information about suspicious individuals and activities within their communities.

He noted that public cooperation remains essential to preventing criminal activities and ensuring that those responsible for violent crimes are brought to justice.

The rescue of the 15-year-old victim comes as security agencies continue to intensify operations against kidnapping and other forms of criminality in different parts of the country.

In the Oyo incident, the Police said the operation began after intelligence linked the suspected kidnappers to a ransom demand following the teenager’s abduction from the Onidundun area of Akinyele Local Government Area.

The victim had reportedly been held for several days before the security operation was launched.

The Police did not disclose details of the ransom allegedly demanded or whether any payment was made before the rescue operation.

They also did not immediately provide further information about the identity of the fleeing suspects or the exact circumstances surrounding the teenager’s abduction.

However, the Command’s appeal for information from residents and healthcare facilities indicates that efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the suspected gang are ongoing.

Residents in communities around the Awe-Iwo Road axis have therefore been urged to pay attention to unusual movements and promptly communicate relevant information to security authorities.

The Police particularly warned that anyone with unexplained or suspicious gunshot wounds should be reported to the appropriate authorities, given the possibility that some of the fleeing suspects may seek medical treatment after sustaining injuries during the gun battle.

Healthcare providers were similarly encouraged to cooperate with the Police by reporting suspected cases involving gunshot injuries that could be connected to the incident.

The Command said information supplied by residents and healthcare workers would be handled as part of ongoing security efforts and could help investigators identify and apprehend the suspects who escaped from the scene.

Meanwhile, the rescued teenager is now in the custody of the authorities following the successful operation.

The Police described the operation as another demonstration of the Command’s resolve to confront kidnapping and violent crime through intelligence gathering, rapid response and collaboration with other security groups.

The Command also reiterated that its efforts would not stop with the rescue of the victim, as security personnel are continuing the search for the other members of the suspected gang.

The Police said the ultimate objective remains to ensure that those responsible for the kidnapping are identified and brought before the law.

The Commissioner further called on residents to maintain confidence in the security agencies and continue supporting ongoing operations with useful information.

He emphasised that security cannot be achieved through the efforts of law enforcement agencies alone, stressing the importance of cooperation between security personnel, community members and other stakeholders.

The Oyo State Police Command has therefore urged members of the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities through the nearest police station or the Command’s established communication channels.

The Command assured residents that it would continue to strengthen its collaboration with relevant security stakeholders while sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing kidnapping and other violent crimes across Oyo State.

The Police said the manhunt for the fleeing suspects remains ongoing.