The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three suspected kidnappers and the rescue of an abducted man during a joint security operation in Otu, a community in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.
According to police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka, the operation began after local hunters reported coming under attack from armed kidnappers while on a hunting trip on May 25, 2026.
Security operatives, working alongside local hunters and other agencies, quickly moved to the scene. The suspects reportedly opened fire on the team, triggering a gun battle that ended with three kidnappers being neutralised.
During the operation, officers rescued a kidnapped victim identified as Mosudi Gbolagade, who had allegedly been abducted from Okaka and held captive in the forest area. He sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Authorities also recovered an AK-47 rifle, a single-barrel gun, and a machete from the suspects. One local hunter was injured during the exchange and has been hospitalised.
The latest operation comes amid rising security concerns in Oyo State following recent attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where armed men abducted dozens of pupils and teachers and killed a school official. Reports indicate the attackers have since opened communication with the state government, demanding direct talks with the governor.
