Police arrest three suspects in Osun over herdsman's kidnapping

The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Gotan, announced the arrest of three suspected members of an inter‑state kidnapping syndicate.

Gotan made the statement on Tuesday while speaking to journalists at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo.

He identified the suspects as Umaru Adamu, 21, Nasir Yahya and Umar Yahya, 24.

All three are alleged to have been involved in a kidnapping incident in the state that targeted a Fulani herdsman named Yahaya Sulaimon.

According to the Commissioner, “the suspects were apprehended following a coordinated and intelligence‑led operation involving police personnel and local security groups.”

“You will recall that on May 5, 2026, at about 3:25 am, a complainant reported at Ijebu‑Jesa Police Station that armed men attacked a cattle settlement in the Iloko area and abducted one Yahaya Sulaimon.”

Gotan explained that the attackers, numbering about six, were armed with guns and sticks and assaulted the complainant before taking the victim to an unknown destination.

He said that police operatives, “acting on his directive, launched a search operation in the surrounding bush areas to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.”

“While our team was combing the bushes along the Iloko‑Ijesa axis, the abductors, upon sighting the operatives, stabbed the victim in the chest and stomach before fleeing the scene.”

The Commissioner added that the victim was rescued by the operatives and immediately taken to hospital for medical attention.

He revealed that one of the suspects, Umaru Adamu, was arrested during the operation and found in possession of a locally fabricated automatic gun and three live cartridges.

“On my order, the case was transferred to the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit for further discreet investigation,” Gotan said.

He noted that subsequent intelligence‑led investigations led to the arrest of Nasir Yahya in Ajase and Umar Yahya in Sabo‑Ibodi.

Gotan, who said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate, added that investigations into the case had been intensified.