Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have successfully foiled a midnight kidnap operation in Owo, rescuing a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, after a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers.
The operation also led to the recovery of the victim’s stolen Toyota Matrix vehicle, while several members of the criminal gang reportedly fled into a nearby forest with suspected gunshot wounds.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. on June 23, 2026, when heavily armed hoodlums stormed Mrs. Oladele’s residence in Owo, abducted her at gunpoint, and escaped with her vehicle bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.
Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised operatives, who launched a coordinated pursuit of the fleeing suspects.
The police team tracked the kidnappers to the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3, where a gun duel ensued between the operatives and the armed gang.
Police said the suspects, overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security team, abandoned the victim and the stolen vehicle before fleeing into the surrounding bush. Authorities believe some of the fleeing suspects sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange.
Items recovered from the scene included two expended cartridges, a sandal believed to belong to one of the fleeing suspects, and a torchlight abandoned during the escape.
The Police Command disclosed that the case has been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
Commending the officers for their bravery and swift response, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, praised the professionalism displayed during the operation, which resulted in the successful rescue of the victim without loss of life.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Ondo State and assured residents that the perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice.
The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community collaboration remains essential in combating kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The successful operation underscores the Ondo State Police Command’s sustained efforts to strengthen security and respond decisively to criminal activities across the state.
