Crime

Police Burst Kidnapping Gang, Rescue Victim

By Web News 25

By Mojisola Oladele

The Osun State Police Command has rescued a 50-year-old kidnapped herder, Haruna Yusuf and arrested a suspected kidnapper during a gun battle with abductors. ‎

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The sum of Two million, two hundred and seventeen thousand, eight hundred naira N2,217,800, was recovered at the scene as proceeds of ransom.

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The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan made this known during a news briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Osogbo.

‎Mr. Gotan said the Command was able to rescue the Kidnap victim unhurt and foiled the ransom collection following a well-coordinated operation by the tactical team of the Command on the 9th of this month.

‎Mr Gotan States ” On 9th July 2026, the Command received information that one Haruna Yusuf, a 50-year-old herdsman residing in a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village, along Gbongan/Ife Ibadan road had been abducted by four suspected kidnappers.

‎Upon receipt of the report, police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, immediately mobilized to the scene and combed the surrounding forests and adjoining pathways in an effort to trace and rescue the victim.”

‎He noted that it took the combined efforts of its personnel and the local vigilantes who traced and rescued the victim.

‎Mr Gotan explained that On 12th July the VCRU operatives through an intelligence-driven and co-ordinated operation monitored the ransom payment process to a designated drop-off point at Majeroku Area along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway.

‎The CP stressed that the kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire and the police equally responded professionally, leading to a gun duel during which some of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries, one was arrested, while others are currently at large.

‎He explained that the injured suspect, Usman Aliyu was taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for medical treatment and currently responding to treatment.

‎Mr. Gotan assured that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the kidnapping gang who have been terrorizing the area.

‎The Police commissioner also announced the arrest of three suspected cultists and ritual suspects in Iree following intelligence reports that criminal groups had been terrorising the community and neighbouring areas.

‎He identified the suspects as 23-year old Michael Oluwatobi, 22 years old Busayo Joseph and 23 year old Abu Azeez adding that preliminary investigations revealed they were members of a cult group and also alleged to be involved in ritual-related activities.

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Mr Gotan expressed its determination towards combating cultism, ritual killings, kidnapping, armed robbery, and all forms of violent crimes. 

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‎Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

Osun Police Apprehend Teenager over Alledged Public Disturbance

By Web News 485

By Mojisola Oladele

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect in connection with the death of a youth in the Idoka community of Ibokun Town, following an incident linked to alleged drug abuse and a violent confrontation.

In a statement by Commissioner of Police Mr. Ibrahim Gotan and issued by Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Abiodun Ojelaji, the suspect is identified as Isaac Lucky and he was taken into custody after residents reported repeated disturbances and criminal activities attributed to him within Idoka and neighbouring areas of the state.

According to Mr. Gotan, complaints from community members indicated that the teenager was frequently involved in unlawful acts allegedly influenced by the regular use of illicit substances, including kolos, loud, and tramadol.

He explained that the fatal incident occurred on December 19, 2025, after the suspect was accused of committing another offence in the community, prompting local youths—including the deceased—to pursue him.

The commissioner stated: “Following a thorough investigation, the suspect was charged to court and subsequently remanded at a correctional centre.”

He reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining public safety across the state and urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

Two Nabbed over Fake Alert for Bags of Rice

By Web News 743

By Mojisola Oladele

Osun State Police Command has apprehended two suspects, Olalere Gbenga, 54, and Muftau Balogun, 37, for purchasing three bags of 50kg of rice using a fake bank alert.

The State Police Command spokesperson, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola who stated this to Newsmen in Osogbo,  explained that the suspects were arrested on 6th January 2025, following a tip-off from the Local Hunters Group, Osogbo.

Mrs. Opalola said the suspects were undergoing trial for similar offences before an Osun State Magistrate court late last year.

Mrs. Opalola ” They had previously been arrested, charged to court, and remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre for two months (September to November 2024) for committing a similar offence. Despite being granted bail, they went on to commit the same crime again, purchasing rice with fake transfer alerts.”

She noted that Suspects had previously been arrested by the Police operative from the Ataoja division in September 2024 for a similar offence reported by about 24 complainants.

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Crime

Osun Police Arrest Nine For Various Offences

By Web News 599

In Osun State, nine persons suspected to have committed various degrees of offences have been paraded by the Police before newsmen.
Parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters in Osogbo, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olopade Said 4 of them, including Adekunle Odekanyi 21, Semiu Adeboye 22, and Adewale Simon invaded the Anglican Mission House in Akiriboto Gbongan and made away with a Toyota Camry Car.

Mr Olokode stated that 2 of the suspects were arrested at Warewa along the Lagos -Arepo long bridge in Ifo Local Government area of Ogun State, a development which led to the arrest of others.

He said the Car, Laptop and other items were recovered from the suspects.

Also paraded were 4 suspected cult members who were nabbed in Osogbo by policemen attached to Dugbe Police Station while planning to carryout their nefarious acts.

The Commissioner of Police added that other suspects arrested 2were alleged of stealing, and burgling into some shops along tbe stadium area in Osogbo.

Mr Olokode again appealed to residents of Osun Communities to provide police with useful information that would enhance nabbing of crime in earnest.

Adenitan Akinola

Security

Osun Police Launch Manhunt For Kidnappers Along Ife/Ilesha Road

By Web News 776

The Osun Police Command on Monday has launched a manhunt after some suspected gunmen who kidnapped a passenger along Ife/Ilesha expressway in Osun State. 

Radio Nigeria gathered that the gunmen waylaid a commercial bus travelling along the expressway on Saturday 24th, April 2021 around 7:40 PM and abducted the passenger. 

It was learnt that the local hunters and others security operatives had been drafted to the bush to rescue the victim since Saturday night. 

In a telephone interview, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, confirmed that one traveller named Okunade Yinka was kidnapped at Akire junction. 

She said an intensive manhunt was already in place by operatives and local vigilantes to rescue the victim.

Adenitan Akinola