The Oyo State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt at Olorunda Village, Ojongbodu, in Oyo West Local Government Area of the state, rescuing the victim, Haruna Lawal, who sustained a head injury during the ordeal.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, the state capital.
According to the statement, the command received a distress call at about 2:10 a.m. on January 24, 2026, from Alimot, a resident of the Ojongbodu area, reporting that suspected kidnappers armed with weapons had invaded her brother’s residence.
During the invasion, the assailants abducted Lawal, a resident of Olorunda Village, and escaped with his motorcycle to an unknown location.
“Upon receipt of the report and acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, operatives of the command immediately swung into action and were deployed to the area,” Ayanlade said.
He explained that the swift response and aggressive bush-combing operation mounted by the police exerted pressure on the suspects.
“As police operatives advanced into the area with patrol vans and sirens, the kidnappers, realising that security forces were closing in on them, abandoned the victim and fled,” the statement said.
Lawal was rescued alive and subsequently rushed to the General Hospital in Oyo town, where he is currently receiving appropriate medical attention for a head injury sustained during the incident.
Ayanlade noted that the successful rescue, achieved within hours of the abduction, underscored the professionalism, vigilance and dedication of the Oyo State Police Command in responding decisively to threats against public safety.
He added that efforts had been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigations into the incident were ongoing.
The police spokesperson reassured residents of the command’s resolve to ensure criminals find no hiding place in the state and urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership, strategic guidance and support.
“The commissioner further commended the gallant officers and operatives involved in the operation, in collaboration with strategic partners, for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty,” the statement added.
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