Police foil kidnap attempt in Osun, rescue victim

By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Malami Muhammad after a failed kidnap attempt.

Muhammad was arrested at a Fulani settlement at Erefe area, Ondo Road, Ile-Ife in Osun state while trying to perpetrate the dastardly act.

In a statement signed on Monday by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Yemisi Opalola, explained that the another suspect named Babuga evaded arrest and fled the scene with gunshot wounds, after a gun duel.

He further said that the  victim, Muhammad Gembu was rescued unhurt with the help of Fulani vigilante in the community.

The statement read, “The Osun State Police Command in its struggle not to make the State a safe heaven for criminal elements to hibernate, has arrested a suspected kidnapper named Malami Muhammad ‘M,’ while the other sustained gun injury.

“The brief fact of the case is that, on the 17th April, 2022 at about 11:30a.m., the complainant reported at ‘C’ Division, Aganhun, Ile-Ife that, some suspected kidnappers came to their area at Fulani settlement, Erefe area, Ondo Road, Ile-Ife at about 00:15 a.m. of the same date, and kidnapped one Muhammed Gembu.

“Immediately the Police received the report, detectives swung into action, and arrested a suspect, one Malami Muhammad after a gun duel, while one Babuga, surname yet unknown was fatally wounded and one escaped.

“Also, the victim was rescued unhurt with the assistance of Fulani vigilante in the community,” it added.

The Command urged the members of the public to always cooperate with the police in the dissemination of information to aid capture of criminal elements in the State, added that the arrested suspect will be charged to court after conclusion of investigation.