*Fire service recovers one body, rescues nine in Ibadan incidents
Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered an AK-47 rifle during a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in the state.

This was as the fire service in the state recovered one body from the scene of a road accident in Ibadan, and rescued no fewer than nine persons from a separate fire incident in the state capital.

The police command disclosed that the breakthrough followed credible information from a member of the public, who alerted security agencies to the presence of three armed men allegedly operating around forests and farmlands in the Ikoyi-Ile area.

Acting on the tip-off, a joint security team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikoyi-Ile Division mobilised to the location and carried out a thorough combing of the surrounding bushes. The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, identified as Muhammadu Abubakar.

Items recovered from him include an AK-47 rifle with breach number 6628/2274, six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and three live cartridges.

Police authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to curb violent crimes, particularly kidnapping, in the state..

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to involvement in a series of kidnapping operations along the Ogbomoso–Ikoyi-Ile axis. He is also said to have links to cross-border criminal activities across state lines and had been on the Command’s watchlist.

The Commissioner of Police (SCID), Abimbola Olugbenga, has directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Meanwhile, security operatives have launched a manhunt for other members of the gang at large.

In a related development, firefighters also rescued nine persons from a fire outbreak at a private residential building along Ajibode in Ibadan.

The incident affected a four-bedroom flat, causing panic among residents before emergency responders arrived.

Sources said the victims, who sustained injuries and distress, were promptly attended to by emergency officials and rushed to Oyo Mesi Specialist Hospital for proper medical treatment.