Police rescue Onigbesi, two others from kidnappers

The Kwara State Police Command has rescued the Onigbesi of Igbesi, Oba Moses Oyinloye Omotayo, and two other victims from suspected kidnappers operating around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis of the state.

The victims were reportedly abducted at Igbesi on August 22, 2026.

The rescue operation followed a distress report received at about 10:00 a.m. at the Oro Police Station from a vigilante identified as Abdul, who reported that one of his men had sustained a gunshot injury to the hand while operating in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oro Police Station led a combined team of police operatives, military personnel and vigilantes to the area.

According to the command, the suspected kidnappers opened fire after sighting the advancing security team, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.

During the encounter, one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised, while other members of the gang fled into the surrounding terrain.

The security team subsequently launched a pursuit operation, leading to the rescue of the traditional ruler and two other victims identified as Maryam Abubakar and Aisha Ilyasu.

The rescued victims were evacuated to a hospital for medical attention and are currently safe, the command said.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, commended the operatives and other security personnel for their courage and professionalism during the operation.

He said the command had intensified efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing members of the gang.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said further operations were being sustained across identified security flashpoints in the state.

The commissioner also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring that the command would not allow kidnappers and other violent criminals to operate freely in Kwara State.