A 60-year-old building materials trader has been kidnapped by suspected gunmen in the Monatan community of Ibadan, Oyo State. The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the victim was returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road at approximately 8:47 p.m. Four masked armed men in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla forcefully seized him.
Police Confirmation and Response
The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident, stating that the case was reported on May 2, 2026. According to Ayanlade, preliminary information indicates that the victim, a 60-year-old male trader in building materials, was accosted while heading home. The four masked men used an unregistered vehicle to carry out the abduction.
Police operatives have visited the scene and activated necessary operational measures to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators. Ayanlade assured the public that efforts are ongoing to secure the victim's safe release, with all available resources being deployed to bring those responsible to justice.
Growing Security Concerns
This abduction adds to rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State. In March, four individuals were kidnapped along the Igbeti–Kishi Road in Irepo Local Government Area. Additionally, police recently foiled a bandit attack at Elebe Village, Aleniboro, in Atisbo Local Government Area, where two suspected gang members were neutralized following a tip-off from a resident. Security operatives also thwarted a kidnap attempt at Olorunda Village in Ojongbodu, Oyo West Local Government Area, rescuing a victim named Haruna Lawal, who sustained injuries during the incident.
