Crime

Police Foil Kidnapping, Rescue Victim Hours after Abduction

By Web News 219

By Abisola Oluremi

The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, has rescued a man identified as Haruna Lawal, a few hours after he was kidnapped in Olorunda Village, Oyo State.

The command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.

DSP Ayanlade said the swift rescue was made possible through the coordinated response of police operatives and the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property.

According to her, the command received a distress call at about ten minutes past two on Saturday morning from the victim’s sister, Alimot, who reported that suspected kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons had invaded her brother’s residence.

She said the assailants abducted Haruna Lawal and fled with his motorcycle to an unknown destination.

Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Haruna, police operatives were immediately deployed to the area, launching an aggressive bush-combing and patrol operation.

The patrol team, with sirens activated, forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee, leading to his rescue alive.

The victim sustained a head injury during the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment at the General Hospital, Oyo.

DSP Ayanlade added that efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigations into the case are ongoing.

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Crime

Gunmen Kill Police Officer, Kidnap Expat in Oyo

By Web News 406

By Abisola Oluremi

A police officer has been confirmed dead following an attack by suspected gunmen on a company’s at Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, in Oyo State.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the attackers stormed the facility in a commando-style operation, leading to a gun battle with security personnel attached to the company.

DSP Ayanlade said the police officer was fatally shot while repelling the attack, while some of the assailants were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.

Despite the resistance, the gunmen abducted a Chinese expatriate, described as a principal officer of the company, before fleeing the scene.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr Femi Haruna, has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to deploy the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical teams to the area.

The police said bush-combing operations were ongoing, while investigations had been intensified to rescue the abducted expatriate and arrest those responsible for the attack.

In a related development, the command also announced the arrest of four suspects in connection with cases of defilement, murder, and unlawful possession of suspected human parts across the state.

DSP Ayanlade said one of the suspects, identified as Usman Azeez, was arrested in Ado-Awaye for the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl.

He said the suspect was currently in police custody as investigations continued.

The police spokesperson also disclosed that operatives arrested another suspect, Abdulraheem Koni, in connection with the alleged murder of his former employer, Lateef Giwa.

The case was reported at the Tede Police Division, and the suspect is presently being detained.

The statement further confirmed the arrest of another suspect over an alleged murder in Ibadan, where the victim later died from injuries sustained during an altercation.

The corpse has been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

The police also arrested a commercial driver along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near Guru Maharaji Village for unlawful possession of items suspected to be human parts, recovered during a routine stop-and-search operation.

The command said investigations were ongoing in all the cases, adding that suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Security

Ikoyi-Ile Residents Reassured After False Alarm

By Web News 276

By Abisola Oluremi

Normalcy has returned to Ikoyi-Ile community in Oyo State after security agencies confirmed that the reported bandit threat that sparked panic over the weekend was a hoax.

The Oyo State Police Command led the response after receiving intelligence reports about a handwritten note allegedly dropped in front of a residential building in Ikoyi-Ile, Orire Local Government Area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the note—written in both Yoruba and English—claimed that suspected bandits planned to attack the community.

He said the development prompted the command to immediately activate its intelligence, tactical, and operational response mechanisms, including increased police presence along the Ikoyi-Ile Road.

However, subsequent investigations revealed that the threat was not genuine.

Confirming the situation in an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria, the Ashipa of Onikoyi Kingdom, Chief Saka Akanji, dismissed reports of any bandit invasion and assured residents that peace had fully returned to the area.

Chief Akanji explained that children allegedly placed a threat letter on major streets in the community, using stones to hold it down and prevent it from being blown away.

He said the act unintentionally triggered fear among residents before security agencies intervened.

Chief Akanji commended the swift response of the police and urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Security

Oyo Police Issue Drowning Safety Warning

By Web News 257

By Abisola Oluremi

The Oyo State Police Command has raised the alarm over a growing number of drowning incidents across the state, urging residents to exercise heightened caution around water-related environments.

The Command warned members of the public to remain vigilant around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools, and other water facilities, noting a disturbing rise in reported cases.

In a statement signed by the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the Command said the increase in drowning incidents necessitated an urgent public safety advisory.

The Police called on religious organisations, especially those operating worship centres near rivers and other natural water bodies, to adopt proactive safety measures during religious activities.

It stressed the importance of close supervision and cautioned against allowing children unrestricted access to rivers, swimming pools, wells, and streams.

The Command also reminded hotel owners, resort operators, and managers of recreational centres of their responsibility to ensure that swimming pools within their premises are adequately supervised and clearly marked with visible safety notices.

Operators of such facilities were advised to engage trained lifeguards, swimming instructors, and tutors, while ensuring that rescue and safety equipment are readily available and in good working condition at all times.

Parents and guardians were further urged to remain vigilant and take personal responsibility for the safety of their children and wards.

Additionally, the Police advised owners and occupants of houses with wells to ensure that they are properly covered and securely lidded, warning that damaged or corroded well covers should be repaired immediately to prevent accidents.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Femi Haruna, has frowned at avoidable loss of life and reaffirmed that the protection of lives remains a core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force.

Edited By Maxwell Oyekunle

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