Oyo police re-arrrest kidnap suspect who fled from custody

Mr Haruna encouraged the residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and continue to support the police with credible and timely information

Olumayowa Samuel • March 18, 2026

Police Officers used to illustrate the story (Photo Credit: PRNigeria)

Operatives from the Ojongbodu Area Command, Oyo State, have re-arrested one Ayomide Kareem who escaped from police on March 10, 2026.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the 25-year-old suspect was nabbed for suspected kidnapping, adding that officers involved in his escape were now undergoing orderly room trial.

The command said, “On the 17th of March, 2026 at about 11:30 p.m., operatives attached to Ojongbodu Area Command, while on routine stop-and-search patrol at Irepo Junction, Ojongbodu area of Oyo, intercepted a suspicious individual observed trekking within the vicinity. The individual was promptly stopped and subjected to questioning.

“Upon interrogation, he was identified as one Ayomide Kareem, male, aged 25 years, of Osorun’s Compound, Oyo. Further checks confirmed that he is the same suspect who had earlier escaped from police custody at Jobele Division on the 10th of March, 2026 in connection with a case of suspected kidnapping. The suspect is currently in custody and assisting the police with ongoing investigations.”

Noting that the unprofessional conduct of the operatives involved—who had since been detained and undergoing orderly room trial prompted the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, to order an intensive manhunt to ensure the prompt re-arrest of the suspect.

According to the command, the suspect’s earlier escape sparked protests in the community, prompting the initiation of a comprehensive disciplinary process against officers found wanting in the incident, “including the redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Jobele Division, alongside other administrative measures aimed at reinforcing accountability and professionalism within the Force.”

Assuring residents of the command’s commitment to the safety and security of all residents and vowing not relent in bringing perpetrators of crime to justice, Mr Haruna encouraged them to remain calm, law-abiding, and continue to support the police with credible and timely information.

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