Police authorities in Oyo State have intensified bush-combing operations to track down kidnappers and other criminal elements following the abduction of an Indian expatriate in Ogunmakin community, Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.

The renewed operation follows the weekend attack during which armed men stormed the area along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis, killed a police officer who was repelling the assault and abducted the expatriate, triggering public concern over security around border communities and major highways.

In response, the Oyo State Police Command has reviewed its security architecture and deployed additional personnel and tactical resources to vulnerable locations across the state.

Speaking on Monday during a current affairs programme on Fresh FM, an Ibadan-based radio station, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, described the attack as regrettable and painful, particularly the loss of a serving officer in the line of duty.

Olayinka decried the resurgence of criminal activities in some parts of the state and said the Command had escalated its response in line with the seriousness of the Ogunmakin incident.

“The Oyo State Police Command is reviewing its security architecture to checkmate the activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements across the 33 local government areas of the state,” he said.

“It is pathetic that one of our officers lost his life while trying to repel the attack launched by gunmen in Ogunmakin area of Oluyole Local Government Area. During the attack, an Indian expatriate was kidnapped.

“We have deployed our men to the affected areas and they have commenced combing the bushes in search of these criminal elements. I want to assure the public that they will be smoked out wherever they are hiding.”

He added that the Command was working in collaboration with sister commands in Lagos and Ogun states to strengthen policing along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and adjoining border communities, a corridor identified as critical following the attack.

According to the police spokesperson, joint patrols, intelligence-driven operations and the deployment of special tactical units have been stepped up to deny criminal gangs freedom of movement.

Residents of Ogunmakin and neighbouring communities said the presence of armed policemen and other security operatives had increased since the incident, with checkpoints mounted along strategic routes and patrols intensified in forested areas.

A commercial driver operating on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway said the attack had heightened fear among motorists and commuters.

“We are now more careful when driving through this axis, especially at night. It is reassuring to see policemen patrolling, but we still pray that the abducted man will be rescued safely,” he said.

Community leaders in Oluyole Local Government Area also called on the Federal and State Governments to strengthen security along the expressway, which serves as a major economic and transit corridor linking the South-West to other parts of the country.

They urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information that could aid ongoing operations.

The police reiterated their commitment to the protection of lives and property, assuring residents that the bush-combing operation would be sustained until the abducted expatriate is rescued and those responsible for the crime are arrested and brought to justice.

Olayinka appealed to members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, noting that the Command would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.