By Joy Onu
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued a five-year-old girl, Miss Fikayo Gbemiga, who was abducted from her family’s residence in the Iyana Offa area of Ibadan.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the victim, who was abducted on July 3, 2026, was rescued unharmed during a late-night intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad on July 11 at the suspects’ hideout in the Mojoyin Molade area of Iwo Road, Ibadan.
Police identified the suspects as Adegboye Seyi Sunday, 37, and Adegboye Elijah Adefemi, 25. According to preliminary investigations, the pair allegedly broke into the complainant’s residence, abducted the child and demanded a ransom of N10 million for her release.
The Command said investigators employed technology and other advanced investigative tools to trace the suspects after launching an intensive intelligence-driven operation. Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives stormed the hideout at about 10:30 p.m., arrested the suspects and rescued the victim about five minutes later before she could be moved to another location.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier received N1 million as part payment of the ransom from the victim’s family during negotiations at Gbongan in Osun State on July 8. Police said efforts are ongoing to recover the money and track down other members of the kidnapping syndicate who remain at large.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism, resilience and dedication, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, said the successful operation reflected the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing.
He reassured residents that the police would continue to strengthen collaboration with the public in order to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible and actionable information to security agencies, assuring them that all useful intelligence would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly.
