17-year-old kidnap victim rescued in Oyo forest operation

August 6, 2026

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a 17-year-old boy, Daneri Alhaji Yaro, who was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday, 5 August 2026, at Aladere Village via Ikoyi-Ile, near the Government Reserve Forest.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command said the victim was rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with his family.

According to the police, the rescue followed a distress report lodged by the victim’s father, Alhaji Yaro Babuga, at the Ikoyi-Ile Divisional Police Headquarters.

Acting swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised a joint team of police operatives, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters for a search-and-rescue operation.

The team combed surrounding bushes and adjoining forest areas. Sustained pressure from the operatives forced the kidnappers to abandon the teenager and flee deeper into the Government Reserve Forest.

“The successful rescue underscores the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring that criminal elements find no safe haven within the state,” the statement said.

The Command added that it has intensified intelligence-led operations within the forest and surrounding areas to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“Investigation is in progress, while concerted efforts are being sustained to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” it added.

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the bravery, synergy, and professionalism displayed by all security personnel involved in the operation.

He reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led policing and robust inter-agency collaboration in the fight against violent crime.