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CSP Adewale Osifeso, Oyo Police spokesperson
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the June 26 abduction of a man identified as Timothy, in Mokorede-Ipapo, within the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Command also recovered a sum of N4,618,700, which was reportedly part of the ransom paid for the victim’s release.
According to a police statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, the victim was kidnapped around 11 p.m. by six armed men who stormed his residence and took him to an undisclosed location.
Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Ipapo mobilised personnel, including operatives from the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), local hunters, and Fulani vigilante groups. The incident was escalated to neighbouring divisions to assist with rescue efforts.
On June 30, police operatives from Okaka Division arrested five men in the Okaka community, where they were allegedly caught sharing the ransom money received from the victim’s family. The suspects, who are currently in custody, were identified as Usman Abubakar (30), Umar Abubakar (21), Abdulkadir Sulaiman (22), Abdullahi Naira (23), and Isiaku Saboyaro (30).
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the abduction and detailed how the crime was carried out,” the statement said. “They confirmed that they acted in concert with a sixth person known as ‘Wetti,’ who remains at large.”
The police said the operation led to the recovery of over N4.6 million in cash, which forms part of the ransom reportedly collected from Timothy’s family.
The Command stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and urged members of the public to provide any useful information that could assist in the investigation.
Residents with information are advised to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre via 615 (toll-free) or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614, 09054133071, or 09061299291.
The statement reiterated the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the state. (The Guardian)
