Oyo police kidnap attempt foiled in Ojongbodu as operatives rescue victim with head injury after swift overnight operation
The Oyo State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt in Olorunda Village, Ojongbodu, Oyo West Local Government Area, rescuing the victim after a rapid overnight response.
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The command’s Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, saying the incident was reported in the early hours of January 24, 2026.
According to the statement, a distress call was received at about 2:10 a.m. from a resident identified as Alimot, who reported that armed suspected kidnappers had invaded her brother’s residence in the Ojongbodu area.
During the invasion, the assailants abducted Haruna Lawal, a resident of Olorunda Village, and fled the scene with his motorcycle to an unknown destination.
Ayanlade said that upon receiving the report and acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, operatives were immediately deployed to the area.
He explained that the swift response and aggressive bush combing operation mounted by the police applied intense pressure on the suspects.
As patrol teams advanced with patrol vans and sirens, the kidnappers realised that security forces were closing in and abandoned the victim before fleeing.
Lawal was rescued alive and rushed to the General Hospital in Oyo town, where he is currently receiving medical treatment for a head injury sustained during the ordeal.
Ayanlade described the successful operation as a powerful demonstration of the vigilance and professionalism of the command, noting that the Oyo police kidnap attempt was neutralised within hours.
He added that efforts had been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigations into the incident were ongoing.
The police spokesperson reassured residents that the command remained resolute in ensuring criminals have no hiding place in the state and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
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The Commissioner of Police also expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his strategic leadership and support, while commending the officers involved for their courage and dedication to duty.
