The Ouch The state police command said its officers, in cooperation with local hunters and other security agencies, killed three suspects. kidnappers and rescued a kidnapped victim during a security operation in Otu, located in the Oke-Ogun axis of the state.
The command confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the operation was launched in response to a distress call received on May 25, 2026 from local hunters who were allegedly shot at by suspected kidnappers while hunting in Otu.
The police reported that there were no casualties among the hunters during the first attack.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence received, a response team consisting of police operatives, local hunters and other security agencies was immediately mobilized to the scene in Oto,” it was stated in the press release.
According to the report, when the security team arrived, the alleged kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a shootout.
“With a superior tactical response and coordinated efforts, the criminals were successfully defeated, which led to the neutralization of the three suspected kidnappers”, said the commander.
The police also stated that the operation resulted in the rescue of the abducted victim, Mosudi Gbolagade, aged about 50, who was allegedly abducted in Okaka and held captive in the Oto area.
According to the press release, the victim was shot during the event and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police also reported that security personnel recovered one AK-47 rifle without ammunition, one single barrel and a machete at the scene.
The leadership also reported that one of the local hunters was shot during the exchange of fire and is currently in the hospital.
The state police commissioner lauded the operation and commended the bravery of local hunters and other security actors involved in the rescue mission.
“The command therefore reiterates its unwavering commitment to maintain aggressive operations against criminal elements across the state and urges residents to remain vigilant by providing credible and timely information to security agencies,” continuation of the statement.
The latest development comes amid rising tensions in Oyo State following the attack on three schools on May 15, 2026 in Esiele, Yamota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area, where suspected terrorists abducted over 40 pupils, students and teachers and killed an assistant principal named Mr. Adesiyan Adegboye.
A few days later, the perpetrators released videos of the two kidnapped teachers appealing for help and government involvement.
The attackers also killed a kidnapped maths teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, whose beheading was caught on tape.
Two reports reported that the hooligans refused to speak directly to the victims’ relatives.
“They said they only want to talk to the governor and no one else. So nobody knows the details or what they’re looking for,” the source added.
However, it was not clear whether the negotiations were conducted directly by the governor or a representative of the state government, nor whether any positive results had been achieved by the time of filing this report.
