By John Dike, Osogbo
Five suspected kidnappers have been arrested over the abduction of two persons in Ora-Igbomina, Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State.
The suspects were reportedly apprehended through a joint operation involving police officers and local vigilante operatives, acting on intelligence.
The victims, Taye Adeyeye and Sunday Adewumi, were kidnapped on Sunday night by suspected gunmen at a private residence along Aran-Orin Road, Papa area of Ora-Igbomina.
This was barely two months after a former Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, was abducted in the same community. Owolabi later regained his freedom on January 12 after the payment of a ransom.
Confirming the development on Tuesday in Osogbo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said additional security personnel had been deployed to the area, while intensive search operations were ongoing in the surrounding forests.
According to him, the five suspects were arrested during a joint forest combing operation by the police and local vigilantes.
“The suspects were apprehended during a search for the abducted persons. Investigations are ongoing to determine their level of involvement,” Ojelabi said.
He explained that police patrol teams had withdrawn to their base around 11:45 p.m. on the night of the incident due to heavy rainfall, noting that the abduction occurred shortly after midnight.
DSP Ojelabi added that security operatives were still combing the forests to rescue the victims and urged residents to promptly report suspicious movements or unfamiliar faces to security agencies.
