Osun State Police Command, on  Wednesday disclosed that it has rescued a kidnapped victim and recovered a sum N2.217,800 ransom from his abductors at the point of collection.

Making this disclosure at a press briefing in Osogbo, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said the arrest of the kidnappers followed actionable intelligence around Gbongan-Ibadan expressway.

According to him, ‎On 9th July 2026, the Command received information that one Haruna Yusuf, a 50-year-old Fulani herdsman residing in a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village, along Gbongan/Ife Ibadan road had been abducted by four suspected kidnappers.
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‎Gotan said upon receipt of the intelligence, police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, immediately mobilized to the scene and combed the surrounding forests and adjoining pathways in an effort to trace and rescue the victim.

The CP further said the case was subsequently transferred to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU- Anti-Kidnapping Section) for discreet investigation and tactical intervention.‎

Gotan added that “On 12th July 2026, the VCRU operatives on an intelligence-driven, co-ordinated operation was conducted in close monitoring of the ransom payment process to a designated drop-off point at Majeroku Area along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway.

“The team ‎successfully rescued the victim unhurt. The kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire and the police equally responded professionally, leading to a gun duel during which some of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries, one was arrested, while others fleed.

“The injured suspect was immediately taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for medical treatment and is currently responding to treatment. The sum of Two million, two hundred and seventeen thousand, eight hundred naira (N2,217,800) was recovered at the scene as proceeds of ransome.

‎Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the kidnapping gang who have been terrorizing that environs.

Also paraded were two suspected ritualists and cultists, namely for their alleged involvement in ritual and cultism, namely Michael Oluwatobi ‘m’ 23yrs, (2) Busayo Joseph, ‘m’ 22 yrs and (3) Abu Azeez ‘m’ 23yrs.

He explained that preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of a cult group and were also being investigated for alleged involvement in ritual-related activities. Exhibits recovered from them are: small Coffin and local charms/soaps.

Gotan, however, hinted that all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.