The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected members of an inter-state kidnapping syndicate who are allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a Fulani man.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the Osun State Police Command headquarters, Osogbo.
Gotan, who outlined recent operational successes recorded by the Command, identified the suspects as Umaru Adamu, Nasir Yahya and Umar Yahya.
The suspects were alleged to be connected to a kidnapping incident within the state involving a Fulani herdsman named Yahaya Sulaimon.
According to the Commissioner, “the suspects were apprehended following a coordinated and intelligence-led operation involving police personnel and local security groups.
“You will recall that on May 5, 2026, at about 3:25 am, a complainant reported at Ijebu-Jesa Police Station that armed men attacked a cattle settlement in the Iloko area and abducted one Yahaya Sulaimon.”
Gotan explained that the attackers, numbering about six, were armed with guns and sticks and assaulted the complainant before taking the victim to an unknown destination.
He stated that police operatives, “acting on his directive, launched a search operation in the surrounding bush areas to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.
“While our team was combing the bushes along the Iloko-Ijesa axis, the abductors, upon sighting the operatives, stabbed the victim in the chest and stomach before fleeing the scene.”
The Commissioner added that the operatives rescued the victim and immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention.
He revealed that one of the suspects, Umaru Adamu, was arrested during the operation and found in possession of a locally fabricated automatic gun and three live cartridges.
“On my order, the case was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further discreet investigation,” Gotan said.
He noted that subsequent intelligence-led investigations led to the arrest of Nasir Yahya in Ajase and Umar Yahya in Sabo-Ibodi.
Gotan, who stated that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate, added that investigations into the case had been intensified.
