Oyo police rescue kidnapped 15‑year‑old and kill suspect after gun clash on Awe‑Iwo Road

Rescue operation and gun duel

On Sunday, 25 October 2026, the Oyo State Police Command announced the successful rescue of a 15‑year‑old boy identified as Sumaila Muhammadu. The young person was seized from the Onidundun district within the Akinyele Local Government Area on 18 October 2026. Acting on reliable information obtained around 5:00 PM on 22 October, officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in coordination with the Oyo Zone Vigilante Group, deployed to the Pipeline-Ajagba stretch of the Awe-Iwo Road.

At approximately 2130 hours, the security team encountered the kidnappers, who opened fire, prompting a gun duel. Despite the exchange of fire, police rescued the victim and neutralised one suspect, whose identity was not disclosed. The suspect, who was already deceased, was transported to a medical facility where a physician verified his death prior to the transfer of his remains to the morgue. Other members of the gang fled in different directions, some reportedly sustaining gunshot injuries.

Background

The kidnapping of Sumaila Muhammadu was reported to have occurred on 18 October 2026, with the abductors demanding a ransom for his release. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that the operation was launched after receiving reliable intelligence on 22 October. Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Abimbola (also referred to as CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga) directed the anti‑kidnapping operatives to act swiftly.

The police statement noted that the operation took place along the Awe‑Iwo Road axis, a corridor that has previously seen criminal activity. During the raid, officers recovered an Android mobile phone and a cutlass, items believed to belong to the suspects. The police command reiterated its commitment to intelligence‑led policing to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

Why it matters

The rescue underscores the ongoing threat of kidnapping in Oyo State and the broader region. Residents of communities along the Awe‑Iwo Road and neighbouring areas were urged to report anyone with suspicious gunshot wounds, as such information could aid in tracking the fleeing suspects. Healthcare workers were also asked to notify police of any patients presenting with injuries that might be linked to the incident.

The operation demonstrates the collaboration between state police, the anti‑kidnapping unit, and local vigilante groups, highlighting a coordinated approach to security challenges. The Police Commissioner pledged that the leadership would persist with intelligence-guided actions and enhance collaboration with fellow security bodies to dismantle criminal syndicates.

What happens next

Police have launched a manhunt for the remaining members of the kidnapping gang, who fled the scene with reported injuries. Authorities have urged citizens to furnish prompt and reliable data to aid the ongoing inquiry. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through established communication channels. The ongoing effort aims to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects, thereby reducing the risk of further kidnappings in the state.