Police rescue abducted teenager, begin manhunt for kidnappers in Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a 17-year-old boy, Daneri Alhaji Yaro, who was abducted by suspected kidnappers in Aladere Village, via Ikoyi-Ile, near the Government Reserve Forest.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the teenager was abducted in the early hours of Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
The police said the rescue operation began after the victim’s father, Alhaji Yaro Babuga, reported the incident at the Ikoyi-Ile Divisional Police Headquarters.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised a joint team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters to launch a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
The statement read, “Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised a combined team comprising police operatives, members of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters to the scene in a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.”
It added that the joint security team carried out an intensive search of the surrounding bushes and the adjoining Government Reserve Forest, forcing the kidnappers to flee.
“Consequently, the joint security team commenced an intensive combing of the surrounding bushes and adjoining forest. The sustained pressure mounted by the operatives proved decisive, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee deeper into the Government Reserve Forest. The victim was rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with his family,” the statement added.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
“In a bid to ensure the apprehension of the fleeing suspects, the command has intensified ongoing intelligence-led operations within the forest and surrounding areas. Investigation is in progress, while concerted efforts are being sustained to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended all security personnel involved in the operation.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, commends the bravery, synergy, and professionalism exhibited by the police, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters during the operation,” the statement said.
Olugbenga also reassured residents of the command’s commitment to tackling violent crime through intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration.
“He reassures residents of the command’s unwavering resolve to sustain intelligence-led policing and robust inter-agency collaboration in the fight against violent crime.
“The command also urges members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information that will aid ongoing security operations across the state,” the statement added.
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