Police rescue abducted herder in Osun, recover N2.2m ransom
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
The Osun State Police Command has rescued a 50-year-old herder, Haruna Yusuf, who was abducted near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan–Ife Road after a gun duel with suspected kidnappers.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo, saying one suspected kidnapper, Usman Aliyu, was arrested during the operation, while N2,217,800 ransom was recovered.
Gotan said the victim was abducted by four suspected kidnappers on July 9, 2026. He added that police operatives, working with local vigilantes, launched a search operation before transferring the case to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for investigation.
He said, “On July 12, 2026, VCRU operatives carried out an intelligence-driven operation while monitoring the ransom payment process at the Majeroku area along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway. The victim was rescued unhurt, while one suspect was arrested after a gun duel. Other members of the gang fled with gunshot injuries”.
The police commissioner said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and ensure they were brought to justice.
Gotan also disclosed that the command arrested three suspected cultists and ritualists in Iree on July 14 following intelligence reports.
According to him, preliminary investigations linked the suspects to cult activities and alleged ritual-related offences, while a small coffin and local charms were recovered from them.
The suspects were identified as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23.
