The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of herders in different parts of the state, recovering N2.2 million believed to be ransom proceeds.
The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Osogbo.
Gotan said one of the suspects was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 50-year-old herder who was abducted on July 9 at a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan-Ife/Ibadan Road.
According to the police commissioner, operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Section, tracked the suspect and arrested him on July 12 while he was allegedly attempting to collect ransom from the victim’s relatives.
He said the operation turned violent when other members of the gang opened fire on the police team.
“On sighting police operatives, the suspect’s gang opened fire, leading to a gun duel. Some of the suspects were shot but escaped with gunshot injuries,” Gotan said.
He added that the arrested suspect also sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The police commissioner said officers recovered N2.2 million suspected to be ransom money from the scene, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing gang members.
In a related operation, Gotan said another suspected kidnapper was arrested while attempting to abduct a herder in a settlement in Ijebu-Jesa on May 7.
He explained that intelligence obtained from the suspect led operatives to Iseyi Town in Oyo State, where another alleged member of the gang was apprehended.
The police boss noted that the command also arrested other suspects across the state for various criminal offences as part of its ongoing crackdown on crime.
He assured residents that all the suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
The police also reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes across Osun State.
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