Osun Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Recover ₦2.2 Million Ransom, Arrest Suspected Ritualists
By Erewunmi Peace
The Osun State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped victim, recovered ₦2.2 million in ransom money, and arrested a suspected kidnapper during a tactical operation aimed at tackling violent crime in the state. The command also arrested three suspected cultists and ritualists in a separate operation.
Speaking during a press briefing in Osogbo, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said the rescued victim, Haruna Yusuf, a 50-year-old Fulani herdsman, was abducted by four armed men near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan–Ife–Ibadan Road on July 9. Following a distress report, the case was transferred to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), which launched an intelligence-led operation to track the kidnappers.
The police monitored a planned ransom payment at Majeroku along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway on July 12. During the operation, the kidnappers opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun battle. One suspect, identified as Usman Aliyu (40), was arrested after sustaining gunshot injuries, while others escaped into the surrounding forest. The victim was rescued unharmed, and ₦2,217,800, believed to be ransom money, was recovered at the scene.
In a separate operation, police arrested three suspects identified as Michael Oluwatobi (23), Busayo Joseph (22) and Abu Azeez (23) in Iree over alleged cult-related and ritual activities. Items recovered from the suspects included a small coffin, charms and locally made soaps suspected to be used for ritual purposes. The commissioner said investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement and identify other members of the alleged criminal network.
The police also announced the arrest of another suspected kidnapper linked to an attempted abduction in Ijebu-Jesa, following further intelligence gathering and technical analysis. Eight additional suspects were arrested in separate raids for offences including stealing, possession of suspected Indian hemp and hooliganism.
Commissioner Gotan reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping, cultism, ritual killings and other violent crimes across Osun State. He urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring that all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
