A member of a kidnapping gang was arrested while trying to collect a N10m ransom demanded

 

A member of a kidnapping gang was arrested while trying to collect a N10m ransom demanded from the relatives of a victim at Otefon village in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State. 

 

The victim identified as Alhaji Bagudu, was kidnapped at his residence in Ilowa village last week and later whisked away to Otefon forest. 

 

The spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, May 14, 2026 said other suspects fled into the adjoining forest with varying degrees of injuries after a gun duel with the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

 

One suspect identified as Mohammed Sanni, was arrested and has made useful confessional statements regarding his role and involvement within the criminal syndicate.

The PPRO said police operatives recovered a Hajoue motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY, believed to have been used for the gang’s logistics and operations. 

 

"On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at about 0100hrs, credible intelligence was received through operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Oyo, indicating that a gang of suspected kidnappers had assembled at Otefon Village Forest to collect ransom from relatives of a kidnapped victim," the statement read.

 

"Upon receipt of the intelligence, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, immediately directed operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Oyo/Iseyin axis, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, to move into the area with a view to rescuing the victim and apprehending the criminal elements responsible for the abduction