The Oyo State police command said it foiled the abduction of two minors and arrested four suspects.

It noted that in a separate case, it detained seven suspects over a murder in the Atisbo Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka, stated that the police rescue efforts were proof of the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and prompt response to crime.

Mr Olayinka said, “The Oyo State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, wishes to inform members of the public of two significant operational successes recorded by the command in furtherance of its commitment to intelligence-led policing, swift response to crime, and the protection of lives and property across the state.”

Mr Olayinka said the command received a report at about 9am on Friday, January 9, through the Iwere-Ile Police Division, that two minors from Akinsapon village, near Ayetoro-Ile were abducted by unknown gunmen.

“The command received a report through the Iwere-Ile Division regarding the abduction of two minors, Hadu Abubakar (male, 15 years) and Sadari Abubakar (male, 14 years), both of Akinsapon Village near Ayetoro-Ile, by unknown gunmen,” the statement read.

In response to the report, the command said the Divisional Police Officer of Iwéré-Ìlè Division led a joint security team, which rescued the two kidnapped minors, safely returned them to their family, and arrested four suspects involved in the abduction attempt.

“Coordinated and intelligence-driven operation culminated in the successful rescue of the two kidnapped minors, who were safely reunited with their family, and the arrest of four suspects, thereby preventing further harm and restoring public confidence within the community,” Mr Olayinka said.

The command said it arrested Abubakar Abubakar (male, 25 years), Usman Mohammed (male, 23 years), Sanda Legi (male, 21 years) and Dore Hado (male, 22 years), suspected to be involved in the kidnapping attempt of the minors.

According to the police, two suspects were injured during the rescue operation and are receiving treatment under close monitoring, while the other two suspects are in custody.

The command added that it recovered items including two cutlasses, a sander stick and N15,700 from the suspects.

“In order to ensure a thorough unraveling of the network behind the crime, the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, has directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Anti-Kidnapping Squad for discreet and comprehensive investigation,” the police spokesman said.

Similarly, the command said it arrested seven suspects in connection with a murder case reported at the Ago-Are Police Division in Atisbo Local Government Area.

According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigation revealed that Umaru Saidu (40) and Umaru Gambo (37) had an altercation with a man, identified as Seidu Amisu (20) in Budo Fatti, Ofiki Village, over issues relating to rearing of cattle. 

The command explained that the disagreement between the two parties escalated into a physical struggle, during which Umaru Gambo allegedly beat Seidu Amisu to death with a stick.

Mr Olayinka stated, “Following the incident, and upon realising that the victim had died, the suspects, in an attempt to conceal the crime, allegedly enlisted the assistance of Umar Abubakar (male), Usman Seidu (male), Muhammed Aliu (male), and Musa Abubakar (male), and secretly buried the victim without the knowledge of his family or the police.”

The command said acting oncredible intellgence the seven suspects were been arrested and had confessed to committing the crime.

“The Divisional Police Officer, Ago-Are Division, embarked on an intelligence-led investigation, which resulted in the arrest of all seven suspects. The suspects are currently in custody, have confessed to the commission of the offence, and are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation,” the statement read.

The police spokesman noted that the state’s CP ordered that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a thorough and discreet investigation.

Reiterating that no criminal act would be allowed to thrive in any part of the state, the police commissioner urged residents across the state to remain law-abiding and confident in the capacity of the state security to safeguard lives and property.