The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a five-year-old kidnap victim, Fikayo Gbemiga, and arrested two suspects in a major breakthrough against violent crime. The suspects, Seyi Adegboye (37) and Adefemi Adegboye (25), abducted the minor from her residence in the Iyana Offa area of Ibadan on July 3, 2026.
Ransom Demand and Partial Payment
According to the command's spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the suspects demanded a N10 million ransom from the family. During negotiations, the family paid N1 million on July 8 at Gbongan, Osun State, as part of the ransom.
“Operatives of the Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad leveraged on technology and other investigative tools to identify the suspects’ hideout, rescue the victim, immediately take her for medical care and arrest the suspects,” the statement read.
Intelligence-Led Operation
The arrest followed a sustained intelligence-led operation by operatives of the command. The police spokesperson detailed that an intensive investigation was undertaken, deploying technological and other investigative tools to trace and identify the suspects.
The operation culminated in the arrest of the principal suspects on July 11, 2026, at about 10:30 p.m. at their hideout in the Mojoyin Molade area of Iwo Road, Ibadan. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives stormed the hideout, rescuing the victim unhurt at about 10:35 p.m. and arresting both suspects before they could relocate the child or evade justice.
Suspects Cooperating, Ransom Recovery Underway
Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo unlawfully gained access to the complainant’s residence, abducted the five-year-old, and demanded the N10 million ransom. The suspects are currently cooperating with investigators, while efforts are ongoing to recover the N1 million already collected and apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate who remain at large.
Commissioner's Commendation and Call for Vigilance
Commending the professionalism, resilience, and dedication of the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reassures residents that the command remains resolute in its determination to rid Oyo State of kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing and robust collaboration with members of the public.
“In the same vein, the Command therefore urges residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely, credible and actionable information to the Police, assuring them that every useful intelligence will be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon promptly,” the statement added.
