There was a gun battle in a forest in Oyo State on Wednesday after operatives of the Nigeria Police Force disrupted an alleged ₦10 million ransom collection operation by a suspected kidnapping gang in Otefon Village Forest, Atiba Local Government Area.

The operation, carried out by the Oyo State Police Command in collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), led to the arrest of one suspect while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot injuries.
According to a statement issued by the Command, on Thursday, credible intelligence was received in the early hours of 13 May 2026 that suspected kidnappers had gathered in the forest to receive ransom for a victim they had abducted earlier.

Acting on the intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) in the Oyo/Iseyin axis, alongside local security operatives, to storm the area and intercept the suspects.

Preliminary investigation showed that the gang of about six armed men had, on 9 May 2026, invaded the residence of one Alhaji Bagudu in Ilowa Village, Atiba Local Government Area, and abducted him, demanding ₦10 million as ransom.
The police said operatives first ensured the safe release of the victim before advancing towards the suspected ransom collection point to apprehend the criminals.

However, upon sighting the advancing security team, the suspects opened fire, triggering a gun duel in the forest. The exchange forced the gang to flee into surrounding bushes with suspected gunshot wounds.

One of the suspects, identified as Mohammed Sanni, was arrested at the scene.

Items recovered include a motorcycle, a mobile phone, a pair of slippers and a cap, all of which are currently undergoing forensic examination.

The Command said the arrested suspect had already made useful confessional statements, while efforts were ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the gang.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant and report individuals with suspicious injuries or movements to the nearest police formation.

The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives and their collaborators for the successful operation and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustained action against kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.