The Oyo State Police Command said it has rescued two abducted children, arrested four suspected kidnappers and recovered sophisticated firearms in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the two children were abducted on June 27, 2026, when armed hoodlums invaded Ebinpejo Village, via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Council. He added that the attackers reportedly ransacked houses, assaulted residents, and fled into the forest with the children.

Following a distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed the Divisional Police Officer in Lanlate to mobilise operatives in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters to launch an intensive bush-combing operation, Ayanlade said in a statement.

He further disclosed that the joint security team, acting on credible intelligence and supported by technical resources, traced the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside the forest.

“On sighting the advancing security operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. The operatives responded professionally, overpowering the criminals and forcing them to flee in different directions,” the statement further read.

It noted that one of the suspects, Umaru Usman, 25, who sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape, was arrested at the scene, while three mobile phones were recovered.

The police said another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed, 28, was arrested during a follow-up operation early Saturday after he was found with gunshot wounds believed to have been sustained during the exchange of fire, and is currently receiving medical treatment in police custody.

Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Sunday Idowu, 30, who was alleged to have provided logistical support to the kidnappers, and Muhammed Shina, 29, who reportedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the abduction, the police stated.

Meanwhile, the rescued children have been given medical attention and reunited with their families.

In a separate operation, operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit recovered a cache of sophisticated weapons from the hideout of a suspected armed robbery syndicate in the Ajah area of Lagos State, following some intelligence after the arrest of four robbery suspects earlier in June.

Though the suspected kingpin and other gang members escaped on sighting the police, a search of the hideout led to the recovery of two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns, a Magnum pump-action rifle, an English-made revolver pistol and 36 live cartridges, the police said, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

In Akwa Ibom State, the police command said it arrested the Supervisor for Internal Security in Nsit Ibom Local Council Area, Mr Idara Okure, over the alleged theft of two mobile phones belonging to a customer inside a commercial bank in Uyo.

Police sources said the suspect was apprehended following a digital tracking operation that reportedly led investigators of one of the stolen devices to its alleged buyer and ultimately to the local government official.

The incident occurred at a Zenith Bank branch along Oron Road, Uyo, where the victim had gone for a banking transaction. Sources said the customer temporarily left his seat after bank officials requested him to re-park his vehicle, leaving behind a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and a Tecno Camon 30S.

On returning to the banking hall, he discovered both phones missing. However, witnesses reportedly told investigators that the man who had been seated beside the victim had also left the premises.

Though bank officials ordered an immediate lockdown of the premises after the theft was reported, the suspect was said to have exited the building before the measure took effect. The matter was then reported to the police, and the investigators reportedly traced one of the stolen phones to Mr Ubong Udofot, who allegedly told the police that he bought the Tecno Camon 30S for N100,000 before giving it to his son.

The police later recovered the device and questioned Udofot, who allegedly identified Okure as the seller and assisted investigators in locating him. Security sources said the suspect allegedly confessed to taking the two phones from the customer’s seat inside the bank.