The police command in Oyo State said it thwarted an attempted kidnapping incident on Saturday, April 18, at Onigambari, along the Mamu, Ijebu-Ode road.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said police preliminary investigation revealed that suspected gunmen attacked multiple vehicles plying the axis at about 6:30 pm.

The command said the affected vehicles were conveying passengers from a social event they had attended within the Ibadan metropolis.

“The Oyo state Police Command foiled an attempted kidnapping incident which occurred on 18th April 2026 at about 1830hrs at Onigambari along the Mamu/Ijebu-Ode Road,” the statement read.

“Hoodlums attacked vehicles conveying passengers who were returning from a social event in Ibadan. During the incident, victims fled into the surrounding bush for safety but were later reunited,” it said.

According to the police spokesman, the command’s prompt response to the distress call disrupted the assailants’ aim of kidnapping the passengers.

Mr Olayinka noted that two persons sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Amazing Hospital and Ibadan Central Hospital.

He added that other affected victims who reported at the Awa-Ijebu Police Division in Ogun State are also responding to treatment.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators, while investigation into the incident has commenced,” the police spokesman stated.

To prevent a reoccurrence, the spokesperson said the state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga has directed a deployment of additional operatives to the affected community in a bid to strengthen security and forestall any further criminal activities. 

The command urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing useful information that could assist its ongoing investigation.